Jeffrey’s colonisation claim just gimmick ? –Harris

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KOTA KINABALU: Former chief minister Tan Sri Harris Mohd Salleh has dismissed Sabah STAR chairman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan’s claim and allegation about Sabah being colonised by Kuala Lumpur as just a political gimmick.

He said the “unimaginable” conditions imposed by Jeffrey that he must get the authority from both the Federal and State Governments for the public debate with him (Harris) was just an excuse.

Harris contended that Jeffrey is fully aware that there is no mechanism for the government to appoint or authorise any of its citizens for a public debate.

He said both the Federal and State Governments have their houses permanently for public debate, namely the Parliament and State Assembly.

“Therefore, if Datuk Jeffrey still maintained that his claim and allegation should have ‘official’ status, then as simple as ‘Makan Kacang Goreng’ (eating peanut), he can just ask a friendly member of parliament to move a motion at Parliament sitting calling on the Federal Government to stop colonising Sabah.

“If the motion is accepted, debated and carried at Parliament House that is the end of the story – Sabah is free. Surely, if this is going to happen, the people of Sabah will elect Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan as its first President of the Kinabalu Republic,” said Harris in a statement yesterday in response to Jeffrey’s statement on their proposed debate.

Harris reckoned that Jeffrey must be reminded that the proposed open debate with him is his only chance to present his case that Kuala Lumpur is colonising Sabah.

He said Jeffrey must be fully aware that none of the Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders will ever debate with him on any issue, simply because these leaders have the same contention that politically Jeffrey does not have equal status with them.

“Of course, Datuk Jeffrey can publish his claim and allegations. Again and surely, if the claim and allegations are just a political gimmick, I will be the first one to counter such statement.

“For Datuk Jeffrey to make his statement more effective, he must give full details of the claim and allegations that Kuala Lumpur is colonising Sabah, therefore there is no difference between the proposed open debate and statement in the media after all,” Harris added.

While stating that this was his last response to Jeffrey, Harris said however that he will continue making statement and not meddling, if any statements that contribute to undermining Sabahans’ intelligence and giving false hope to Sabahans.

He said Sabahans deserve to be told the truth, particularly between the affairs of the Federal Government and State Government.

“As such, Datuk Jeffrey we are ready to discuss; the appointment of organising secretary, the appointment of moderator, the line of debate and the time and date and the place.

“Once all these are properly organised both local and foreign TVs will broadcast live from Kota Kinabalu. Let Sabahans have the chance to hear from both sides,” Harris said.