KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chief Datuk Lajim Haji Ukin yesterday thanked Barisan Nasional (BN) for taking Matunggong assemblyman Datuk Jelani Hamdan and Kadaimaian assemblyman Jeremy Majalad out of PKR.
“We thank you BN for bringing these people into BN. These leaders have been nothing but liabilities to the party (PKR),” said Lajim during a press conference held at the PKR Sabah headquarters.
He also clarified that only eight PKR leaders were leaving the party instead of the reported 11 leaders, two days ago.
Lajim said those confirmed leaving the party were division chairman from Silam (Juhani Abd Halim), Kinabatangan (Mustapha Tambuyung) and Kota Marudu (Anthony Mandiau).
He could not confirm if the Beluran district representative would be leaving the party as well.
“I am not sure if they were not being promised something, but that is impossible. I am disappointed with the division chiefs as well as those who are involved. We provided tickets for them to go to KL (Kuala Lumpur), food and lodging at the hotel, and yet they utilized the PKR tickets not to attend our PKR congress but to enter another party. Where is the integrity of these leaders? If they don’t want, they shouldn’t use our tickets. Go and buy your own tickets,” he said.
On Tuesday, 11 PKR leaders in Sabah quit the party and expressed support for the BN.
They comprised division heads, division deputy heads and division information chiefs from Kudat, Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, Sepanggar, Pensiangan, Beluran, Kinabatangan, Batu Sapi, Silam, Kalabakan and Semporna.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak told a media conference in Kuala Lumpur that these leaders had lost confidence in the PKR leadership.
He said this was the first wave of PKR leaders quitting the party in Sabah and that more would be following in their footsteps soon.
Lajim added that he had been forewarned of the antics of the former PKR leaders prior to his appointment as party chief.
“I was told that these people were bringing problems to the party. Hence, the approach taken by BN has assisted me and my friends. We don’t have to get rid of these people.”
He also said the leaders concerned were probably aware that they would not be holding any post in the party during the division selections to be held in March, next year.
“They know that they probably will not have the opportunity to defend their post. The post of division chairman does have its worth, and that is why they left,” Lajim explained.
He added that the allegation made by Umno chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was untrue and said PKR Sabah still had 29 divisional chairmen.
He also said they would restructure the Kinabatangan, Kota Marudu and Silam divisions and the divisional chairmen who left would be replaced.
Lajim added that they would also make a recommendation to the central head to sack these individuals.
“We have yet to receive their resignation.”
At the same time, he said other members expected of involvement would also be recommended for sacking.
When inquired of a second wave of PKR leaders leaving the party, Lajim said he did not know.
“But I think it will involve some of our members. I was made to understand that Jelani is going to form a new party and they are probably waiting to register; perhaps they will be submitting their forms when the party is launched. That will be the second wave,” he said.
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