PKR has confirmed that Pajudin Nordin, who was relieved of his post as the party's Sabah chief, has left to join Umno. Pajudin's move is seen as a bid to embarrass PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and to seek revenge for the humiliating withdrawal of his position last week."Yes, we had already withdrawn his appointment last week. He was a relative unknown but certain quarters had lobbied hard for his promotion to Sabah chief. On that basis, he was given the chance to lead," PKR vice president Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.
"But later on when we received information he had very little grassroots support and a majority of the division chiefs also turned on him and objected, we decided to retract the appointment and leave the post in the hands of the party president Wan Azizah. Pajudin's conduct today vindicates us. It shows we were not wrong in assessing his character. He is no loss to PKR at all and if Musa Aman thinks he is asset to BN, we wish him the best."Indeed, Sabah BN has rushed to make full use of the incident to go one up on PKR. Despite Pajudin's political obscurity, no less than Sabah chief minister Musa Aman himself announced the defection at a joint press conference.“I have lost confidence in the leadership of PKR,” Pajudin (pic ) told reporters on Saturday. “On the other hand, I see the Prime Minister providing real leadership in the country as the Chief Minister is doing in Sabah."Yet, less than a month ago, he had accepted the Sabah chief post with gratitude. When asked about his predecessor, Jeffrey Kitingan's decision to quit and take with him his followers, Pajudin had expressed confidence PKR would not be affected.“Yes, I have heard that there will be more resignations. But then again, this is not unusual. I am sure that even if there are, they will not involve large numbers. Even when Jeffrey left, not many followed suit. It will not cause very serious damage to the party,” Pajudin had said then.Stern warningBut PKR leaders were unfazed, expressing disgust for Pajudin's sharp about-turn. In fact, the manner in which they have stood firm despite his threats to defect is a stern warning to others to shape up or ship out."There has been infighting in Sabah PKR because there were too many opportunists. They want to ride on the PKR brand name without committing themselves to the party's struggle. At times when it suits them, they insist on autonomy for Sabah but we would like to stress that Sabah is Malaysia and Malaysia is Sabah," said Tian."Once and for all, we want to weed out the insincere people, and if it is necessary, start from scratch. What is there to lose? With the previous set-up PKR couldn't make the headway it wanted in Sabah in 2008 - can we do better now? This shows we need to make bold reforms in Sabah PKR before the party can carry its own message of reform effectively to Sabahans. So to those who want to create trouble and to those who carry a lot of baggage from the past, please note the door is open. PKR will not be held to ransom. We are committed to giving Sabahans the best."Indeed, Sabah PKR has been wracked by factions. The main one was headed by Kitingan, who recently left with 27 supporters to form United Borneo Front. Another is a loose and fluid coalition of divisions that often, but not always, rallies behind lawyer Ansari Abdullah.There are also many young professionals who are not aligned to either faction and have rallied behind Wan Azizahas she attempts to reorganize the party.
PKR has confirmed that Pajudin Nordin, who was relieved of his post as the party's Sabah chief, has left to join Umno. Pajudin's move is seen as a bid to embarrass PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and to seek revenge for the humiliating withdrawal of his position last week.
"Yes, we had already withdrawn his appointment last week. He was a relative unknown but certain quarters had lobbied hard for his promotion to Sabah chief. On that basis, he was given the chance to lead," PKR vice president Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.
"But later on when we received information he had very little grassroots support and a majority of the division chiefs also turned on him and objected, we decided to retract the appointment and leave the post in the hands of the party president Wan Azizah. Pajudin's conduct today vindicates us. It shows we were not wrong in assessing his character. He is no loss to PKR at all and if Musa Aman thinks he is asset to BN, we wish him the best."
Indeed, Sabah BN has rushed to make full use of the incident to go one up on PKR. Despite Pajudin's political obscurity, no less than Sabah chief minister Musa Aman himself announced the defection at a joint press conference.
“I have lost confidence in the leadership of PKR,” Pajudin (pic ) told reporters on Saturday. “On the other hand, I see the Prime Minister providing real leadership in the country as the Chief Minister is doing in Sabah."
Yet, less than a month ago, he had accepted the Sabah chief post with gratitude. When asked about his predecessor, Jeffrey Kitingan's decision to quit and take with him his followers, Pajudin had expressed confidence PKR would not be affected.
“Yes, I have heard that there will be more resignations. But then again, this is not unusual. I am sure that even if there are, they will not involve large numbers. Even when Jeffrey left, not many followed suit. It will not cause very serious damage to the party,” Pajudin had said then.
Stern warning
But PKR leaders were unfazed, expressing disgust for Pajudin's sharp about-turn. In fact, the manner in which they have stood firm despite his threats to defect is a stern warning to others to shape up or ship out.
"There has been infighting in Sabah PKR because there were too many opportunists. They want to ride on the PKR brand name without committing themselves to the party's struggle. At times when it suits them, they insist on autonomy for Sabah but we would like to stress that Sabah is Malaysia and Malaysia is Sabah," said Tian.
"Once and for all, we want to weed out the insincere people, and if it is necessary, start from scratch. What is there to lose? With the previous set-up PKR couldn't make the headway it wanted in Sabah in 2008 - can we do better now? This shows we need to make bold reforms in Sabah PKR before the party can carry its own message of reform effectively to Sabahans. So to those who want to create trouble and to those who carry a lot of baggage from the past, please note the door is open. PKR will not be held to ransom. We are committed to giving Sabahans the best."
Indeed, Sabah PKR has been wracked by factions. The main one was headed by Kitingan, who recently left with 27 supporters to form United Borneo Front. Another is a loose and fluid coalition of divisions that often, but not always, rallies behind lawyer Ansari Abdullah.
There are also many young professionals who are not aligned to either faction and have rallied behind Wan Azizahas she attempts to reorganize the party.
P.K.R will overcome the are battles to fight on several fronts
Thank God that Zaid Ibrahim lost the Hulu Selangor by-election otherwise the damage will be bigger. I respect Anwar Ibrahim for his fighting spirit, never say die attitude and he is the only Malay Umno is really scared of. Look at the way all the BN-controlled TV channels, radio and newspapers team up with Zaid to attack Anwar. BN and Zaid are real cowards because there is no chance for Anwar to defend himself through these channels.Let the ghost of Zaid go. There is no need to rub salt into the wound. Most of us know the fight will be between Umno-BN and Pakatan Rakyat, and the likes of Zaid with his correct but outlandish aims will not make an iota of difference. Zaid has muddied the water but now the opposition water is getting clearer. I believe that PKR has a lot of reforming to do. After all, it has been 13 years. Zaid has proven without a doubt that he is not a reformer but good only at jumping on the bandwagon of reform and trying to take the credit from it. He certainly has shown that he has no staying power.PKR has to take stock and remember that vested interests will stifle renewal from within. Once the warlords start taking control, reform-minded members will leave.I wish Anwar were more of a statesman. Perhaps because he was addressing a PKR crowd, he needed to take a more robust stand. Zaid is history. I'll give the man respect for old time's sake as his current ideas are utopian, beyond the practical reach of the present political environment.
Over the years, some leaders have left us but the party is still intact.
Open your mind to change
TAXIDRIVER WARNING TO HARRIS IBRAHIM BRUTUS AND PETE
STOP NOW
Monash University Malaysia political scientist James Chin says that by democratising the party, PKR has set an example for other parties to follow and will strengthen it ahead of the next general elections.“This amendment will mean that PKR is now the most democratic party in Malaysia today,
:MR AN WAR IBRAHIM“brings the narrative that everyone wants to return to — that MALAYSIA is the land of extraordinary opportunity and possibility,
“To those MALAYSIAN whose support I have yet to earn,” he said, “I may not have won your CONFIDENDENCE but I hear your voice but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your prime minister too.”(in waiting)“moment, change has come to Malaysiaeven though enemies has spurred false rumors and insinuations about his background and CAN WE THE MALAYSIAN PEOPLE RISE TOTHE OCCASSION WHEN THE NATION NEEDS US? CAN MALAYSIA DEPEND ON US?
“Over the years, some leaders have left us but the party is still intact.
If there's nothing left to say, then it spells the end of your relationship. For it's essential to have the intention to share and converse.
We have all heard of a companionable silence. And yet how long can silence help nurture a relationship? Too much silence between people can sever ties since there is nothing to build on. Conversations have as important a role to play in the building of mutual ties as silent companionship does.
Give each other space, but not so much that the chasm becomes too wide to build a bridge over. Think about this. When two people meet, they trade information about experiences, their lives prior to meeting each other, opinions, et al. After a while of doing this, they discover they are able to talk about the same things as they now have shared experiences. Soon they start repeating themselves, starting conversations with, "Have I told you this before… oh I have? Ok..." And after a while the conversation peters off...
There is nothing left to say. Have you ever experienced this? With a spouse? With a lover? Or, with a friend? It can be scary. There you are all eager to talk and connect, and there is nothing to say! Or, at least nothing the other is interested in! Is this the end of the relationship? If there is nothing left to say to each other, how or why would you enjoy each other's company? What would you look forward to?
This can only happen when neither of you makes an effort to keep the conversation, and hence the relationship, going. For that it is important to educate yourselves away from each other, to make an effort to grow in different directions and pick up new skills as you go along. For, if you have an enriched life and experiences, there is always something to share with your loved ones. Apart from having enough to ponder over and talk about, it is also important to have the intention to share and converse. A friend, Alka, shared this interesting instance of her husband Rahul's attempt to keep meaningful conversation going in their lives. "Rahul has always had this abiding interest in Hollywood films. Somehow, somewhere along the way I had missed out on most of the English classic films.
Whenever he brought up a character from one of these films or quoted instances from these as running parallel to life, the conversation would be kind of one-sided. He didn't really let me know this upset him, till one wedding anniversary, he gifted me a huge box full of the best English classics in films! He told me to watch each of these. As I would watch one, we would discuss it threadbare, from every possible angle. He would give me his take on it and listen to my opinion with deep interest. This gave a new shot in the arm to our relationship and suddenly there was something to look forward to! I consider this one of the best gifts Rahul ever gave me, because with this he gave me a key to himself, to his innermost thoughts and ideas…"
So even good conversations require some amount of work to be put in, some preparation, the intention to talk and share. If Rahul hadn't bothered to make the effort of getting the movies, or Alka hadn't bothered to watch them, they wouldn't have found their new togetherness. So when you are about to meet a friend with whom conversation has dwindled, make that extra effort not just to prepare the eatables and drinks, but also the gift of conversation. Think beforehand of some topics of common interest that will keep both of you hooked.
A colleague would reply to every question asked and every topic brought up, with "Give me some time to think and we will talk about this." And, he wouldn't forget! Sure enough next day he would get back with preparation and the conversation that followed would be well worth the wait! Some deep thinking and a consideration of various aspects would bring a depth to the conversation that would have been missing otherwise.
But what do you do if the other person is just not interested? Jyoti, deeply interested in reading, tried her best to get her husband interested as well so that they could not just share books and visits to the library, but also be able to have interesting literary discussions. But Sanjay was just not interested and any attempts on Jyoti's part to make him read would be met with derision. On the other hand, Sanjay's interest in juicy gossip left Jyoti totally cold. As a result, most attempts at conversation would end in bitterness.
As part of conversation, couple of us started discussing what could have been done by either Jyoti or Sanjay under the circumstances. One suggestion was that Sanjay, even if he didn't want to read, could at least have kept the conversation going by asking Jyoti either to read out to him or share the story with him. Another suggestion was that Jyoti should have at least the patience to hear him out when he indulged in gossip! To my mind, their lack of conversation and of any attempt to show an interest certainly showed lack of camaraderie or the will to sustain the relationship.
And true, sometimes no amount of conversation, nor attempts at it can save a relationship that one doesn't have the will to save.
THE KITINGANS WILL REMEMERED FOR LETTING UMNO SNATCH THEIR POLITICAL POWER
Jeffrey Kitingan: ‘My struggle is for the people’
by Roy Goh
He has the finger on the pulse of Sabah politics and he knows the issues close to the heart of Sabahans. But Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has also been called many things: a maverick, the man who party hops, an eccentric. ROY GOH talks to the man about his plans, now that he has resigned as Parti KeADILan Rakyat vice-president.In Sabah politics, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is very well known, though most of the time for the wrong reasons. He pulled yet another surprise recently by resigning as vice-president of Parti KeADILan Rakyat. He has left everyone guessing.Jeffrey, who had joined four political parties in the past and was once held under the Internal Security Act, remains an ordinary member of PKR. He has, however, burned his bridges with the party. None of the options he has hinted at involved staying on in it.Kitingan may have a penchant for switching camps but he is embraced by political parties because he knows the pulse of the people and the issues close to the heart of the people of Sabah.Jeffrey who had joined four political parties in the past and was once held under the Internal Security Act, remains an ordinary member of PKR.Close calls for the Barisan Nasional in the last two elections, in Sook and Bingkor respectively, where he lost by small margins, attest to this. Attempts to get him to reveal his next move at an interview at his home in Sokid Villa in Luyang, Kota Kinabalu were met with a nonchalant “Bah, see lah.”The word bah is a unique yet simple response from Sabahans to almost everything. It can mean yes, no, hello or goodbye and combined with different words can be an expression of anger, happiness, surprise or sadness. In short, it is as complicated as politics in Sabah.Sabah folk may be able to understand what he is saying but peninsula-based PKR leaders will probably find his words hard to decipher. That is why it is felt that issues in Sabah should be resolved by a local.A Sabah leader Ahmad Thamrin Jaini, formerly the state liaison committee secretary, replaces Azmin Ali as Sabah PKR chief. But the appointment, says Kitingan, was made by leaders from PKR headquarters. That only made things “more complicated”.“It is not about the appointment but how it was made.” Considering he has gone from one party to another, will Kitingan be able to find a party that represents his true feelings, one that will enable him “to serve the people?”Will he form a new party? “My brother (Pairin) did it bah when he formed PBS so why can’t I.” Or will he re-enter BN through PBS? It can happen but will it go down well with other PBS members?Or maybe SAPP? Led by Datuk Yong Teck Lee, the former BN coalition party claims to have stealthily reached out to people of Sabah who wants equality in terms of progress and development. But like he said, he will need feedback from the grassroots first and until he makes his decision. “I am still an ordinary member bah.”Excerpts from the interview:Q: What made you join PKR?A: I joined in October 2006 because I was attracted by their agenda. (De facto leader) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim agreed to my list of conditions, except for one on a revenue-sharing formula, if I were to join.I thought it was a fair deal because I was also attracted to the party’s concept of “Justice For All”. That, at the time, made me believe I could nationalise the Sabah struggle for equality through democratic meritocracy, … reforms essentially.Prior to that, I was already thinking about retiring from politics as I was fed up. I considered myself a political observer then. But I saw that none of our leaders were doing the honourable thing. That situation called for my participation in politics as a concerned leader.Q: Were you comfortable in PKR initially?A: Initially, I worked well as an ordinary member-cum-informal leader with the then state liaison committee chairman, Awang Tengah Awang Amin. We had high hopes for the party, especially when we started touring the state to increase membership.Along the way, I was appointed vice-president. But gradually, I found it difficult to make decisions at state level. Kuala Lumpur (headquarters) would not allow the state liaison committee to make decisions on its own and preferred to refer to their proxies. It was frustrating as I represented a huge number of supporters. It is tough if you do not trust your own people in the states.When they replaced Awang Tengah with Ansari Abdullah without even consulting the majority of the members, trouble began. They replaced Ansari with Anwar, then Azmin Ali and recently, Thamrin. At least two thirds of the members objected to the changes but Kuala Lumpur refused to listen.You need a Sabahan leader to resolve issues in the state and in the case of Thamrin — though he is my friend and I have nothing against him personally — I don’t think he is recognised even by our own members. How would he be able perform his task as a leader?If Kuala Lumpur keeps on changing leaders at its whims and fancies, how will the party carry on its struggle? The party risks becoming weaker and confusing its members.Q: If you were made state leader, would things be different ?A: It would not have made any difference if the leaders in Kuala Lumpur refuse to listen to what we have to say. I have said this many times before and I will say it again — my struggle is for the people, not for myself. My outspokenness has got me into trouble as I am not like others who would cower the moment they feel their position is threatened.There were calls from members and leaders at divisional level for me to lead PKR in Sabah but to me, that is secondary. Headquarters decided without our consensus and to me, that is wrong. It’s not about the appointment but how it was made.Q: Are you suggesting PKR needs a liaison committee that is not bound by the national leadership?A: Not necessarily. There are national issues that need attention but when it comes to matters in the states, they should trust those they have on the ground. If they need to decide on everything, then what is the use of having a democratic process?This was what I called for when I joined the party. I even introduced the “Tambunan Declaration” as a guideline. It is an approach based on equal partnership between Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.These are among the main contents of the declaration: to respect the special rights and autonomy of Sabah and Sarawak, including the 20 Points (agreement made during the formation of Malaysia), the creation of a second deputy prime minister for the Borneo states, setting up a royal commission of inquiry to resolve the issuance of identity cards to foreigners and the large presence of illegal immigrants, raising oil royalty from the present level of five per cent to 20 per cent, getting a fair portion of federal cabinet posts as well as in the foreign service and to allow Sabah to plan its own socio-economic development. But Kuala Lumpur prefers to dominate us.Q: If this declaration is adopted by PKR, would that make you change your mind?A: If anyone adopts the declaration, I would be happy. Whether it is the BN or Pakatan, I am sure it will benefit the country in the long term. The recognition given by the present government to Malaysia Day spells some hope for all of us.Q: Who do you represent in your struggles?A: The silent majority in Sabah, including certain leaders within the BN. The problem is they are being dominated by Kuala Lumpur and they don’t dare say anything because of the political system of selfishness and dominance that we have now.If they don’t like you, out you go. So to protect their interests, they keep quiet. The last election may have jolted the BN to bring about reforms but we in Sabah and Sarawak deserve more.Q: Will you leave PKR?A: I will tell you next week.Q: Did Anwar call to persuade you to stay on (as vice-president) ?A: Not directly. I heard from other leaders. Why can’t he call me? This is where I feel we are not respected as leaders and it disappoints me.Q: What are your plans now? You have spoken about forming a new party, or joining Sabah Progressive Party, or even BN. Which is it?A: I need a little time to reflect on things and get feedback from the grassroots. But as it is now, most of the people I have spoken to want me to form a new Sabah-based party. I will need to consider all these options.Q: Have you been approached by any party?A: Would you be surprised if I have been? I have been approached informally so I will not commit too much on this. I would say this though — it’s nice to know doors are open to me.Q: You have switched from Parti Bersatu Sabah (led by elder brother Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan), to Akar (now defunct), back to PBS, then Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), an independent, and now PKR. Does it not bother you what people think?A: It was not my desire to leave PBS. It was my brother who told me to join Akar. At the time, politics in Sabah was in a disarray (with the BN taking over the state from PBS when several of its leaders switched camps to the coalition). My brother wanted me to stop PBRS and Parti Demokratik Sabah (now United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun and Murut Organisation or Upko) from entering the BN coalition. I became deputy president of the party and objected to the entry of PBRS and PDS, but we failed.Eventually, I returned to PBS. After that with problems brewing in PBS — because people did not like my enthusiasm as a leader — I joined PBRS. The same thing happened and I left again. For a while, I served the people on my own and subsequently joined PKR.I am an organisation man who runs administrative matters passionately and effectively. The only problem is when you are a good leader, the people like you but not certain leaders who will make it a point to boot you out. I switched parties not because I wanted to but because circumstances forced me to.Q: What are your hopes for the future?A: My struggle for the state and its people are listed in the Tambunan Declaration. We cannot afford to become a subservient society controlled by proxies and their masters. We need to speak up and be heard.
Thank God that Zaid Ibrahim lost the Hulu Selangor by-election otherwise the damage will be bigger. I respect Anwar Ibrahim for his fighting spirit, never say die attitude and he is the only Malay Umno is really scared of. Look at the way all the BN-controlled TV channels, radio and newspapers team up with Zaid to attack Anwar. BN and Zaid are real cowards because there is no chance for Anwar to defend himself through these channels.Let the ghost of Zaid go. There is no need to rub salt into the wound. Most of us know the fight will be between Umno-BN and Pakatan Rakyat, and the likes of Zaid with his correct but outlandish aims will not make an iota of difference. Zaid has muddied the water but now the opposition water is getting clearer. I believe that PKR has a lot of reforming to do. After all, it has been 13 years. Zaid has proven without a doubt that he is not a reformer but good only at jumping on the bandwagon of reform and trying to take the credit from it. He certainly has shown that he has no staying power.
PKR has to take stock and remember that vested interests will stifle renewal from within. Once the warlords start taking control, reform-minded members will leave.
I wish Anwar were more of a statesman. Perhaps because he was addressing a PKR crowd, he needed to take a more robust stand. Zaid is history. I'll give the man respect for old time's sake as his current ideas are utopian, beyond the practical reach of the present political environment.
He has the finger on the pulse of Sabah politics and he knows the issues close to the heart of Sabahans. But Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has also been called many things: a maverick, the man who party hops, an eccentric. ROY GOH talks to the man about his plans, now that he has resigned as Parti KeADILan Rakyat vice-president.
Over the years, some leaders have left us but the party is still intact.
Open your mind to change
TAXIDRIVER WARNING TO HARRIS IBRAHIM BRUTUS AND PETE
STOP NOW
Open your mind to change
TAXIDRIVER WARNING TO HARRIS IBRAHIM BRUTUS AND PETE
STOP NOW
Monash University Malaysia political scientist James Chin says that by democratising the party, PKR has set an example for other parties to follow and will strengthen it ahead of the next general elections.“This amendment will mean that PKR is now the most democratic party in Malaysia today,
:MR AN WAR IBRAHIM“brings the narrative that everyone wants to return to — that MALAYSIA is the land of extraordinary opportunity and possibility,
“To those MALAYSIAN whose support I have yet to earn,” he said, “I may not have won your CONFIDENDENCE but I hear your voice but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your prime minister too.”(in waiting)“moment, change has come to Malaysia
even though enemies has spurred false rumors and insinuations about his background and CAN WE THE MALAYSIAN PEOPLE RISE TOTHE OCCASSION WHEN THE NATION NEEDS US? CAN MALAYSIA DEPEND ON US?
“Over the years, some leaders have left us but the party is still intact.
If there's nothing left to say, then it spells the end of your relationship. For it's essential to have the intention to share and converse.
We have all heard of a companionable silence. And yet how long can silence help nurture a relationship? Too much silence between people can sever ties since there is nothing to build on. Conversations have as important a role to play in the building of mutual ties as silent companionship does.
Give each other space, but not so much that the chasm becomes too wide to build a bridge over. Think about this. When two people meet, they trade information about experiences, their lives prior to meeting each other, opinions, et al. After a while of doing this, they discover they are able to talk about the same things as they now have shared experiences. Soon they start repeating themselves, starting conversations with, "Have I told you this before… oh I have? Ok..." And after a while the conversation peters off...
There is nothing left to say. Have you ever experienced this? With a spouse? With a lover? Or, with a friend? It can be scary. There you are all eager to talk and connect, and there is nothing to say! Or, at least nothing the other is interested in! Is this the end of the relationship? If there is nothing left to say to each other, how or why would you enjoy each other's company? What would you look forward to?
This can only happen when neither of you makes an effort to keep the conversation, and hence the relationship, going. For that it is important to educate yourselves away from each other, to make an effort to grow in different directions and pick up new skills as you go along. For, if you have an enriched life and experiences, there is always something to share with your loved ones. Apart from having enough to ponder over and talk about, it is also important to have the intention to share and converse. A friend, Alka, shared this interesting instance of her husband Rahul's attempt to keep meaningful conversation going in their lives. "Rahul has always had this abiding interest in Hollywood films. Somehow, somewhere along the way I had missed out on most of the English classic films.
Whenever he brought up a character from one of these films or quoted instances from these as running parallel to life, the conversation would be kind of one-sided. He didn't really let me know this upset him, till one wedding anniversary, he gifted me a huge box full of the best English classics in films! He told me to watch each of these. As I would watch one, we would discuss it threadbare, from every possible angle. He would give me his take on it and listen to my opinion with deep interest. This gave a new shot in the arm to our relationship and suddenly there was something to look forward to! I consider this one of the best gifts Rahul ever gave me, because with this he gave me a key to himself, to his innermost thoughts and ideas…"
So even good conversations require some amount of work to be put in, some preparation, the intention to talk and share. If Rahul hadn't bothered to make the effort of getting the movies, or Alka hadn't bothered to watch them, they wouldn't have found their new togetherness. So when you are about to meet a friend with whom conversation has dwindled, make that extra effort not just to prepare the eatables and drinks, but also the gift of conversation. Think beforehand of some topics of common interest that will keep both of you hooked.
A colleague would reply to every question asked and every topic brought up, with "Give me some time to think and we will talk about this." And, he wouldn't forget! Sure enough next day he would get back with preparation and the conversation that followed would be well worth the wait! Some deep thinking and a consideration of various aspects would bring a depth to the conversation that would have been missing otherwise.
But what do you do if the other person is just not interested? Jyoti, deeply interested in reading, tried her best to get her husband interested as well so that they could not just share books and visits to the library, but also be able to have interesting literary discussions. But Sanjay was just not interested and any attempts on Jyoti's part to make him read would be met with derision. On the other hand, Sanjay's interest in juicy gossip left Jyoti totally cold. As a result, most attempts at conversation would end in bitterness.
As part of conversation, couple of us started discussing what could have been done by either Jyoti or Sanjay under the circumstances. One suggestion was that Sanjay, even if he didn't want to read, could at least have kept the conversation going by asking Jyoti either to read out to him or share the story with him. Another suggestion was that Jyoti should have at least the patience to hear him out when he indulged in gossip! To my mind, their lack of conversation and of any attempt to show an interest certainly showed lack of camaraderie or the will to sustain the relationship.
And true, sometimes no amount of conversation, nor attempts at it can save a relationship that one doesn't have the will to save.
THE KITINGANS WILL REMEMERED FOR LETTING UMNO SNATCH THEIR POLITICAL POWER
Jeffrey Kitingan: ‘My struggle is for the people’
by Roy Goh
He has the finger on the pulse of Sabah politics and he knows the issues close to the heart of Sabahans. But Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has also been called many things: a maverick, the man who party hops, an eccentric. ROY GOH talks to the man about his plans, now that he has resigned as Parti KeADILan Rakyat vice-president.In Sabah politics, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is very well known, though most of the time for the wrong reasons. He pulled yet another surprise recently by resigning as vice-president of Parti KeADILan Rakyat. He has left everyone guessing.
Jeffrey, who had joined four political parties in the past and was once held under the Internal Security Act, remains an ordinary member of PKR. He has, however, burned his bridges with the party. None of the options he has hinted at involved staying on in it.
Kitingan may have a penchant for switching camps but he is embraced by political parties because he knows the pulse of the people and the issues close to the heart of the people of Sabah.Jeffrey who had joined four political parties in the past and was once held under the Internal Security Act, remains an ordinary member of PKR.
Close calls for the Barisan Nasional in the last two elections, in Sook and Bingkor respectively, where he lost by small margins, attest to this. Attempts to get him to reveal his next move at an interview at his home in Sokid Villa in Luyang, Kota Kinabalu were met with a nonchalant “Bah, see lah.”
The word bah is a unique yet simple response from Sabahans to almost everything. It can mean yes, no, hello or goodbye and combined with different words can be an expression of anger, happiness, surprise or sadness. In short, it is as complicated as politics in Sabah.
Sabah folk may be able to understand what he is saying but peninsula-based PKR leaders will probably find his words hard to decipher. That is why it is felt that issues in Sabah should be resolved by a local.
A Sabah leader Ahmad Thamrin Jaini, formerly the state liaison committee secretary, replaces Azmin Ali as Sabah PKR chief. But the appointment, says Kitingan, was made by leaders from PKR headquarters. That only made things “more complicated”.
“It is not about the appointment but how it was made.” Considering he has gone from one party to another, will Kitingan be able to find a party that represents his true feelings, one that will enable him “to serve the people?”
Will he form a new party? “My brother (Pairin) did it bah when he formed PBS so why can’t I.” Or will he re-enter BN through PBS? It can happen but will it go down well with other PBS members?
Or maybe SAPP? Led by Datuk Yong Teck Lee, the former BN coalition party claims to have stealthily reached out to people of Sabah who wants equality in terms of progress and development. But like he said, he will need feedback from the grassroots first and until he makes his decision. “I am still an ordinary member bah.”
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: What made you join PKR?
A: I joined in October 2006 because I was attracted by their agenda. (De facto leader) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim agreed to my list of conditions, except for one on a revenue-sharing formula, if I were to join.
I thought it was a fair deal because I was also attracted to the party’s concept of “Justice For All”. That, at the time, made me believe I could nationalise the Sabah struggle for equality through democratic meritocracy, … reforms essentially.
Prior to that, I was already thinking about retiring from politics as I was fed up. I considered myself a political observer then. But I saw that none of our leaders were doing the honourable thing. That situation called for my participation in politics as a concerned leader.
Q: Were you comfortable in PKR initially?
A: Initially, I worked well as an ordinary member-cum-informal leader with the then state liaison committee chairman, Awang Tengah Awang Amin. We had high hopes for the party, especially when we started touring the state to increase membership.
Along the way, I was appointed vice-president. But gradually, I found it difficult to make decisions at state level. Kuala Lumpur (headquarters) would not allow the state liaison committee to make decisions on its own and preferred to refer to their proxies. It was frustrating as I represented a huge number of supporters. It is tough if you do not trust your own people in the states.
When they replaced Awang Tengah with Ansari Abdullah without even consulting the majority of the members, trouble began. They replaced Ansari with Anwar, then Azmin Ali and recently, Thamrin. At least two thirds of the members objected to the changes but Kuala Lumpur refused to listen.
You need a Sabahan leader to resolve issues in the state and in the case of Thamrin — though he is my friend and I have nothing against him personally — I don’t think he is recognised even by our own members. How would he be able perform his task as a leader?
If Kuala Lumpur keeps on changing leaders at its whims and fancies, how will the party carry on its struggle? The party risks becoming weaker and confusing its members.
Q: If you were made state leader, would things be different ?
A: It would not have made any difference if the leaders in Kuala Lumpur refuse to listen to what we have to say. I have said this many times before and I will say it again — my struggle is for the people, not for myself. My outspokenness has got me into trouble as I am not like others who would cower the moment they feel their position is threatened.
There were calls from members and leaders at divisional level for me to lead PKR in Sabah but to me, that is secondary. Headquarters decided without our consensus and to me, that is wrong. It’s not about the appointment but how it was made.
Q: Are you suggesting PKR needs a liaison committee that is not bound by the national leadership?
A: Not necessarily. There are national issues that need attention but when it comes to matters in the states, they should trust those they have on the ground. If they need to decide on everything, then what is the use of having a democratic process?
This was what I called for when I joined the party. I even introduced the “Tambunan Declaration” as a guideline. It is an approach based on equal partnership between Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.
These are among the main contents of the declaration: to respect the special rights and autonomy of Sabah and Sarawak, including the 20 Points (agreement made during the formation of Malaysia), the creation of a second deputy prime minister for the Borneo states, setting up a royal commission of inquiry to resolve the issuance of identity cards to foreigners and the large presence of illegal immigrants, raising oil royalty from the present level of five per cent to 20 per cent, getting a fair portion of federal cabinet posts as well as in the foreign service and to allow Sabah to plan its own socio-economic development. But Kuala Lumpur prefers to dominate us.
Q: If this declaration is adopted by PKR, would that make you change your mind?
A: If anyone adopts the declaration, I would be happy. Whether it is the BN or Pakatan, I am sure it will benefit the country in the long term. The recognition given by the present government to Malaysia Day spells some hope for all of us.
Q: Who do you represent in your struggles?
A: The silent majority in Sabah, including certain leaders within the BN. The problem is they are being dominated by Kuala Lumpur and they don’t dare say anything because of the political system of selfishness and dominance that we have now.
If they don’t like you, out you go. So to protect their interests, they keep quiet. The last election may have jolted the BN to bring about reforms but we in Sabah and Sarawak deserve more.
Q: Will you leave PKR?
A: I will tell you next week.
Q: Did Anwar call to persuade you to stay on (as vice-president) ?
A: Not directly. I heard from other leaders. Why can’t he call me? This is where I feel we are not respected as leaders and it disappoints me.
Q: What are your plans now? You have spoken about forming a new party, or joining Sabah Progressive Party, or even BN. Which is it?
A: I need a little time to reflect on things and get feedback from the grassroots. But as it is now, most of the people I have spoken to want me to form a new Sabah-based party. I will need to consider all these options.
Q: Have you been approached by any party?
A: Would you be surprised if I have been? I have been approached informally so I will not commit too much on this. I would say this though — it’s nice to know doors are open to me.
Q: You have switched from Parti Bersatu Sabah (led by elder brother Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan), to Akar (now defunct), back to PBS, then Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), an independent, and now PKR. Does it not bother you what people think?
A: It was not my desire to leave PBS. It was my brother who told me to join Akar. At the time, politics in Sabah was in a disarray (with the BN taking over the state from PBS when several of its leaders switched camps to the coalition). My brother wanted me to stop PBRS and Parti Demokratik Sabah (now United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun and Murut Organisation or Upko) from entering the BN coalition. I became deputy president of the party and objected to the entry of PBRS and PDS, but we failed.
Eventually, I returned to PBS. After that with problems brewing in PBS — because people did not like my enthusiasm as a leader — I joined PBRS. The same thing happened and I left again. For a while, I served the people on my own and subsequently joined PKR.
I am an organisation man who runs administrative matters passionately and effectively. The only problem is when you are a good leader, the people like you but not certain leaders who will make it a point to boot you out. I switched parties not because I wanted to but because circumstances forced me to.
Q: What are your hopes for the future?
A: My struggle for the state and its people are listed in the Tambunan Declaration. We cannot afford to become a subservient society controlled by proxies and their masters. We need to speak up and be heard.
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