Jeffrey Kitingan

Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan is a politician from the state of Sabah in Malaysia. He was born in the town of Kota Marudu and graduated from Harvard University (John F. Kennedy School of Government). [ [http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=221545 "Kennedy School Graduate Held Prisoner"] , "The Harvard Crimson". February 10, 1992.] His brother, Joseph Pairin Kitingan, is also a politician.

Political career

He is known to be a controversial politician, having been detained under the infamous Internal Security Act on suspicion of plotting to secede Sabah from the federation of Malaysia. [ [http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/engASA280061999 "MALAYSIA, Human Rights Undermined: Restrictive Laws in a Parliamentary Democracy"] , "Amnesty International". Accessed March 20, 2007.] He is also known to have switched political parties a number of times, being a former member of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), Parti Angkatan Keadilan Rakyat (AKAR Bersatu), and United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO). In 2003, he applied to join the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) but his application was rejected. [ [http://www.mggpillai.com/article.php3?sid=1686 "Why Jeffrey Kitingan is rejected as an UMNO member"] , "MGG Pillai Journalism and Commentaries". June 9, 2003.]

He is currently the Vice President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

In the Malaysian General Election 2008, he challenged his brother Joseph Pairin from Barisan Nasional-Parti Bersatu Sabah at the Keningau Parliamentary Constituency, but lost.

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