Jeffrey brings ‘Ini kali lah’ to KL

Dr Jeffrey Kitingan

By Luke Rintod of FMT

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s political maverick Jeffrey Kitingan is taking his now famous “Borneo Tea-Party” to Kuala Lumpur. He is set to push his “In Kali” (This time) agenda with Sabahans residing and working in Peninsular Malaysia tomorrow.

Hundreds of Sabahans are expected to gather at the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur to hear founder of the United Borneo Front (UBF) enlighten them on his version of why Malaysia is what it is today and why East Malaysia has been left far behind.

His talk will begin at 7.30pm and it is open to the public, especially Sabahans working and studying in Klang Valley, UBF deputy president Daniel John Jambun told FMT today.

Jambun who will be accompanying Jeffrey, revealed that the event is being co-organised by Sabahans domiciled in Peninsular including church leaders.

He said it marked the first step for UBF to enlighten directly Sabahans and Sarawakians abroad.

“This is important as there are hundreds of thousands if not at least half a million Sabahans now working in the peninsula. We want them not only to know but assert their rights and secure a bright future for their state and generations,” he said.

The hawkish Jambun also said that local activists in the peninsula needed to hear the truth about the formation of Malaysia and the original reasons for the two Borneo states to agree to go ahead with the Malaysia idea in 1963.

(Brunei opted out of the agreement only weeks before it was signed in London in 1963).

He said Brunei which only attained independence from the British in 1980s is now among the richest countries in the world where its citizens enjoy free education until university, free medical benefits and pay no taxes to their government.

He said the resource-less tiny Singapore which eventually left the young Malaysian federation in 1965, had also gone on to become the first developed country in South-east Asia and is today a powerful economy in contrast with the “dilapidated” socio-economy condition of resource-rich Sabah and Sarawak.

“We will explain why these things happened and seek the best solutions to restore our glory, our state rights and autonomy at tomorrow’sBorneo tea-party,” he said adding that much was needed to be done in future to realise better things for Sabah and Sarawak.