“I deny the allegations and inference made in total and state that I am not made up of the same ‘genes’ as some who easily betray the trust of the electorates,” said Leiking in reference to a report yesterday suggesting that he was among several unhappy Sabah PKR elected representatives who would be defecting.
Leiking, a first time MP, had trounced Upko’s president, Bernard Dompok, in Penampang by over a 10,000 votes majority in May general election.
Yesterday’s FMT report said Sabah PKR elected representatives were unhappy over unfulfilled promises by its national leader Anwar Ibrahim.
An annonymous PKR assemblymen had reportedly said that Anwar had promised, post general elections, to financially assist the elected representatives’ service centres in their respective constituencies but this had not yet materialized.
The speculative report also noted the impending departure of PKR assemblymen for Matunggong, Jelani Hamdan, and Kadamaian assemblyman, Jeremmy Ukoh Malajad but did not name Leiking.
It however noted that Sabah PKR’s sole MP “might” defect.
The rumoured report was however confirmed later in the evening when Malajad issued a statement that he was quitting PKR with immediate effect.
Widely reported, Malajun said he wanted to see more development in his Kadamaian area and that the people of Sabah are receptive to BN’s approach on solving problems.
Malajun’s statement has now somewhat muffled Leiking’s fury over the article.
In a scathing statement issued to FMT yesterday, Leiking said: “Although I am not perturbed by the article, there is a simple courteous expectations that before any article is released especially one where the ‘subject’ matter is reachable and alive, a simple inquiry or clarification should be made with the subject matter and in this case your inference of me.
“I believe basic ethics for journalist must be there regardless of their political preference.
“In my case, to allege that PKR will lose its sole MP is an absolute figment of your imagination, a lie to sensationalise your story and a clear unconscionable act of demeaning my standing as a person and in my capacity as a member of parliament for the people of Penampang.”
Leiking, who is a lawyer, has demanded that FMT apologize for the speculative report.
“My loyalty to my electorates through my party is steadfast and will never be compromised.
“Keadilan stands for the very cause that I believe in and this party has supported and has always respected my belief in Sabah as an autonomous and equal partner in this Federation.
“My cause is to ensure that Sabah regains its autonomous position in the federation, for justice and to deliver (despite all act of vengeance by the revengeful BN to my constituency) my best during my term on the premises to speak amongst others of the unfairness, unjust and the abuses of this BN regime,” said Leiking.
By Luke Rintod
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