FRIDAY-21ST DECEMBER 2007-Jeffrey is fine, says “ political secretary

Jeffrey is fine, says “ political secretary
KOTA KINABALU: Everything is fine with Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan. This was the assurance given by his political secretary Kanul Gindul, when contacted yesterday. He said the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice- president was responding well to his visitors. “He was able to talk to those who came and visited him at the ward. He even did his confession to Reverand Father Michael Modoit from his hospital bed,” said Gindul. The 60-year-old politician and two others were involved in a road accident at Km 36, Jalan Tamparuli-Ranau, near Kampung Bongol around 5am on Thursday. Initial investigation revealed that they were going downhill and was negotiating a ‘S’ curve when the driver lost control of the four-wheel drive vehicle before it overturned and hit the foothill. Jeffrey was first rushed to the Tuaran District Hospital before being transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further treatment. He received 10 stitches on the forehead besides suffering a spine injury, while the driver identified as Laiser and a female family friend only sustained bruises.
“He is put on IV drops as the doctor does not recommend he take solid food yet. Jeffrey also needs a seat supporter to keep himself up,” said Gindul. It was reported that Jeffrey’s elder brother Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister, Parti Bersatu Sabah president and Huguan Siou (paramount leader of the Kadazandusun Murut community), visited him twice on Thursday. Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Anifah Aman, senior politicians Datuk James Ligunjang and Datuk Ariah Tengku Ahmad, among others, also took time off to visit Jeffrey at QEH on Thursday. Kawang Assemblyman Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar, who was still dressed in his Baju Melayu yesterday, dropped by at Jeffrey’s ward, as well as former minister Datuk Kong Hong Ming and businessman, Datuk Ambrose Lee. Jeffrey, who is currently put under 48-hour observation at the Neuro Surgery Ward, is expected to be transferred to a normal ward within a couple of days. “He is showing positive progress and he is expected to be transferred to a normal ward tomorrow or the day after,” Gindul said.