KOTA KINABALU: Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan says a bankruptcy notice will not disqualify him from contesting in the 14th General Election.
“It is just a notice and not an announcement. It is just (a matter of asking me) to pay back,” he said after announcing the local opposition party’s manifesto and list of candidates.
“I do not blame him (Lee Yau Cheong @ James), but it is not proper the way he does it when I am under pressure to face the general election.”
Jeffrey was recently issued a bankruptcy notice over a sum of RM480,489.40 owed to Lee and given seven days to pay up, in line with the Sessions Court judgment here on March 9. The notice stated it was done by order of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak.
The politician said his legal team had proposed to reach a settlement with Lee.
Jeffrey, who plans to contest in the Tambunan state and Keningau parliamentary constituencies, said the money was borrowed by a friend and a plot of land belonging to him was used as collateral about 15 years ago.
Jeffrey said he had confidence in contesting his elder brother, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, of Parti Bersatu Sabah for the Tambunan state seat.
“I am in high spirits to fight for the people of Sabah while my elder brother is retiring,” he said.
“However, whether he will contest or not, it is up to voters to decide (who will win). After all, both of us are brothers.”