Jeffrey invited to rejoin PBS

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has invited former PKR vice-president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan to rejoin the party headed by his elder brother Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

PBS vice-president Datuk Herbert Timbun Lagadan said the party had never withdrawn its open invitation to Dr Jeffrey to come back.

Herbert, however, said Dr Jeffrey should not set any pre-conditions.“We can then consider his application and if accepted, we will look at what role he could play in the party,” he told The Star yesterday.

Dr Jeffrey when asked about the invitation said he was keeping his options open. He declined to comment further.

Dr Jeffrey quit as PKR vice-president on Tuesday citing his dissatisfaction over the party’s choice of state liaison chief.

Many believe that Dr Jeffrey, who first quit PBS in 1994, was considering rejoining the party established by his brother Pairin in 1984.

Dr Jeffrey quit PBS just before the collapse of the PBS-led state government in 1994 and subsequently joined the Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah, only to leave in less than 24 hours to sign up with the now defunct Parti Akar.

Following a leadership tussle in Akar, Dr Jeffrey rejoined PBS just before the 1999 Sabah state election and contested, and won under the party’s symbol.

In 2000, however, he quit PBS to rejoin PBRS but left after less than two years following a leadership tussle there as well.

He joined PKR after the 2004 general election and was appointed a vice-president. Herbert acknowledged that there are mixed feelings among PBS members and leaders at the prospect of Dr Jeffrey returning to the party.

“Like in any other organisation, there are those who support and those who are against him coming back. There are also those who do not have any opinion on the matter.

“Those who want him to rejoin PBS are keen to see Kadazandusun Murut leaders in a single party,” said Herbert.