PKR upholds suspension of Sabah trio

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 — PKR’s political bureau decided today to uphold the controversial suspension of Daniel John Jambun, Awang Ahmad Shah and Moses Iking, a decision not likely to go down well with its Sabah chapter.

The party’s supreme council recently endorsed the decision of the disciplinary committee to suspend 12 Sabah members for their alleged involvement in the formation of Party Cinta Sabah (PCS).

The other nine are Nicholas James Guntobon, Paul Kerangkas, Slyvester @ Balon Mujim, Innocent Makajil, Nasir Samie, Harry Kujukok Manisit, Rubbin bin Guriban, Gosibin Yosundang and Guandee Kohoi.

However the party decided to only reprimand the nine with warning instead of making them serve the one year suspension.

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail explained that suspension of the trio was upheld because they held important posts in the PCS’s registration form.

“Having reviewed the appeals, the party leadership acknowledges that everyone involved clearly expressed their regret for the mistake and guaranteed their support for the party.

“However the party is of the opinion that they (Daniel John Jambun, Awang Ahmad Shah and Moses Iking) held key positions in PCS registration like the president, vice president and secretary-general and should be held responsible for the offence.

“Therefore, the political bureau is of the view that the suspension of membership for the three members must remain,” he said in a press statement.

The group behind PCS was said to be aligned with Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan who has had a fallout with PKR vice-president Azmin Ali who was briefly Sabah PKR chief.

The move to set up the new party was made after Jeffrey resigned as PKR vice-president and a member of the political bureau to protest the “interference” of national party leaders in Sabah PKR.

The application to form PCS was submitted last December, but it was withdrawn 24 hours later following intervention by national PKR leaders.