At last, consistent Jeffrey Kitingan gets his due recognition

COMMENT | In my reaction to a March 25 news report, “Gov't not considering ‘self-determination’ for Sabah, S’wak”, I penned this note the following day to a group of friends and associates on my mailing list:

“Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is the only MP asking a straight forward question in Parliament on MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963). Other MPs from Sarawak and Sabah, whether from Pakatan Harapan or GPS, never had the courage to do it the way Jeffrey did.

“Call Jeffery a frog, a traitor, an opportunist or whatever you like. As far as the interests of Sabah and Sabahans are concerned, re-MA63, Jeffrey has been consistent all these years. I can’t say that for other politicians from Sabah or Sarawak.

“That is a fact which we must recognise.

“I am not giving credit to Jeffrey because I consider him a personal friend. I salute him again today for he has again proven that MA63 is an agenda which he never loses sight of. To him, the rights of Sabah must be returned at all costs.

“If Jeffrey is considered anti-Malaya or anti-Malaysia, so be it. He had gone to jail for this long struggle of his before and I believe he is prepared for worse consequences.

“I also believe that many Sabahans and Sarawakians, and perhaps even his detractors, are solidly behind Jeffrey on this matter. Me certainly,” I concluded.

The news article was on a reply in Parliament from Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong to an oral question from Jeffrey, who had asked on the status of the special cabinet steering committee to review MA63, and the government’s take on “outside view” that the agreement is cancelled on the grounds that it was never fully implemented in 55 years...