Ansari quits PKR?

Sabah senior lawyer Haji Ansari Abdullah (pix left) had tendered his resignation as Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (PKR) Sabah Liaiason Committee head. A source closed to the party revealed to Aki Momogun that Ansari had submitted his resignation letter last week.

He had also told the State Liaison Committee of his intention to quit but no official words was forthcoming from the party's headquarters.

"There is a gag order on it by the party's leadership," the source said.

In another development, PKR Pensiangan division chairman Danny Anthony Andipai (pix right) is said being called by his supporters to quit the party and to join Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) which had left Barisan Nasional.

Andipai had not denied nor confirmed the matter and when pressed for answer, he said, "Wait and see."

He also said that the matter arises as his supporters were not happy that PKR Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan was now actively campaigning for candidacy in the event a by-election is held for the Pensiangan parliamentary constituency.

An Election Court had declared the seat vacant, ruling that the election of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah's president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup's win uncontested in the March 8, 2008 general elections.

Kurup, who is Federal Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister, had appeal against the decision which is yet to be heard by the Court of Appeal. Kurup lost his seat after his victory was being challenged by Andipai.

Andipai was the PKR candidate in the general elections but his nomination papers was rejected by the returning officer resulting in Kurup being declared the winner. One of Andipai's lawyers in the election petition hearing was Ansari.