Friday 22 February 2008

Pairin change of heart, He drops Jornah

EXCLUSIVE

Just a day after announcing that he decided not to rock the boat, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan did just that - rock the boat. Today he decided to revoke the party's nomination of Assistant Minister Jornah Mozihim to defend her Motunggong seat.

Jornah's candidacy was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman on Thursday at Sri Gaya, the Chief Minister's official residence in Kota Kinabalu. Pairin, who was also present, said that he did not `rock the boat' by retaining all PBS incumbent elected representatives.

"When you have a good boat do not rock it," Pairin told the Press. But what he did today was just the opposite and it will not be a surprise if there will be more 11th hour changes come nomination day on Sunday.

Jornah's position as candidate was revoked and in her place will be a senior officer attached to the Treasury whom was believed to have tendered resignation today.

Matunggong PBS division secretary Edward Pampangan, when contacted, said supporters were angry and demanding that Jornah be retained to defend the seat. He said after the announcement on Thursday, Jornah had prepared all the necessary to file her nomination papers on Sunday, but this morning being informed of the changes.

Edward believed that someone out there had `poisoned' the thinking for the party's leadership that prompted the change in the candidacy. He said the leadership was told the Jornah will be defeated in the election and that will also result in the downfall of the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili who is defending his Kota Marudu MP seat.


My Say:

I contacted Jornah who confirmed to me that she had been informed of the revocation of her candidacy. "I am appealing and hope Pairin will listen my side of the story," she said.

Well, this is politics in Sabah. More interesting stories are expected.

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