Jeffrey Kitingan
| Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly for Bingkor | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 6 May 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Justin Guka |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | State Reform Party Parti Keadilan Rakyat (formerly) UPKO (formerly) AKAR Bersatu (formerly) PBRS (formerly) Parti Bersatu Sabah (formerly) |
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan is a politician from the state of Sabah in Malaysia. He was born in the town of Kota Marudu and graduated from Harvard University (John F. Kennedy School of Government).[1] His brother, Tan Sri Datuk Sri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan, is also a politician.
Political career
He is known to be a controversial politician, having been detained without trial under the infamous Internal Security Act by the Barisan Nasional-controlled federal government on suspicion of plotting to secede Sabah from the federation of Malaysia, although his defenders argue that his was a politically-motivated move.[1][2] He is also known to have switched political parties a number of times, being a former member of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), Parti Angkatan Keadilan Rakyat (AKAR Bersatu), and United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO). In 2003, he applied to join the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) but his application was rejected.[3]
He was a Vice President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat until his resignation from the position on 28 October 2009. Despite speculation that he might leave the political party,[4] his aides have maintained that he will remain as a member.[5] In 2010, Jeffrey founded a NGO named "United Borneo Front (U.B.F)", which aimed to strive the rights of Sabah and Sarawak in accordance to 20-point agreement and Malaysia Agreement that contained in 7 Borneo Agenda. [6]
In the 2008 general election, he challenged his brother Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin from Barisan Nasional-Parti Bersatu Sabah at the Keningau parliamentary constituency, but lost.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Kennedy School Graduate Held Prisoner", The Harvard Crimson. February 10, 1992.
- ↑ "MALAYSIA, Human Rights Undermined: Restrictive Laws in a Parliamentary Democracy", Amnesty International. Accessed March 20, 2007.
- ↑ "Why Jeffrey Kitingan is rejected as an UMNO member", MGG Pillai Journalism and Commentaries. June 9, 2003.
- ↑ "NST Online Dr Jeffrey quits as PKR V-P, may return to PBS". The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad. 28 October 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
- ↑ "Dr Jeffrey Kitingan quits as PKR V-P but remains party member". Sin Chew Media Corporation Berhad. 28 October 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
- ↑ Jeffrey Kitingan forms United Borneo Front to get more for Sabah, Sarawak The Star (Malaysia). URL assessed on 27 April 2012
Other references
- Nilakrisna James, ‘Enlightened’ Jeffrey recalls ISA’s cruelty, The Free Malaysia Today. September 29, 2011.