Jeffrey contested for the seat in the two previous elections in 2008 and 2013 but was defeated on both occasions by his older brother Joseph Pairin Kitingan, the president of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), who also holds the Tambunan state seat.
“I am very confident because STAR and I are still all fired up for Sabah while for my brother, I think, his mind is now retiring already,” he said to reporters after distributing authorisation letters to STAR candidates for the election today.
Jeffrey, the Bingkor state seat incumbent, will move to stand in Tambunan while continuing his mission to capture Keningau.
He said he would respect whatever decision Pairin makes, whether to defend or to let go of Keningau and Tambunan.
Jeffrey had, for some time now, believed his brother would keep his word to retire from politics. However, he said even if Pairin was forced to stand, he would still respect the decision.
“It is up to the voters to decide between us. After all, no matter what, we are still brothers,” he said.
Jeffrey will, for the first time, contest in Tambunan, a seat synonymous with Pairin who has represented the constituency since 1976.
In February, Jeffrey said STAR had been making inroads in Tambunan and he was confident of his chances should he stand there this time around.
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