SABAH Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan has defended his controversial remark likening Peninsular Malaysia's political parties in Sabah to colonial powers.
The Sabah Star president insists his comments reflect the frustrations of Sabahans over the lack of progress on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“It’s very simple — rumah kita, kita jaga (we take care of our own home),” Kitingan said, maintaining that Sabahans want autonomy.
Kitingan was met during the launching of a seminar on plastic pollution and fish bombing in Semporna held in Kota Kinabalu today.
Critics from Sabah PKR and Umno have slammed his remarks, calling them divisive and harmful to national unity.
Sabah PKR secretary Sazalye Donol had also challenged Jeffrey who led Sabah Star to leave the Madani government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Kitingan, however, dismissed the criticisms, accusing Peninsula-based parties of exploiting Sabah.
“They want to control us, and that’s why MA63 remains unfulfilled to this day,” he said.
Kitingan also claimed his comments were not new but simply echoed the long-standing grievances of Sabahans.
“Why should we allow these parties to govern us? It’s a proxy for colonialism,” he added.
Despite the backlash, Kitingan stood firm, saying Sabahans must manage their affairs to ensure true independence. – December 10, 2024
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