Kota Kinabalu: Parti Warisan brushed off Star President Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan’s ultimatum to pull out of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) if the coalition yields to Pakatan Harapan (PH), describing it as “an outburst of fear, not courage.”Warisan Vice President Terrence Siambun said Jeffrey’s latest remarks only revealed his insecurity, claiming the Deputy Chief Minister knew he was losing Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) support to Warisan.
“He is now trying to cover up his weakness by pretending it is about defending Sabah’s rights.
“But the question is, why only now? Jeffrey has been in the same government with GRS and PH for almost five years. “For two years from October 2020, he sat comfortably as Deputy Chief Minister next to Umno’s Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, later replaced by Datuk Shahelmy Yahya.
“For the past three years, PH leaders such as Ginger Phoong and Datuk Seri Christina Liew have also been in the Cabinet.
“Through all those years, where was the ‘Justice for Sabah’ that Jeffrey now suddenly demands?” he said in a statement, WednesdayTerrence said if Jeffrey was truly a man of principles, he would have resigned long ago instead of clinging to his post.
“Principles are proven by action, not ultimatums,” he said.
He also reminded Sabahans of 2020 when Jeffrey sided with then Sabah Umno Chief Tun Musa Aman’s bloc despite having contested against them.
“That act of betrayal still lingers in the memory of Sabahans today. Once trust is broken, it cannot be easily restored,” he said.
On the ongoing “mineral scandal,” Terrence said justice must also be done in addressing allegations of corruption and cash handouts involving state leaders.
“That too is about the dignity and future of Sabah. Those involved must be charged and prosecuted,” he said.
