Jeffrey Kitingan

Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan (born 22 October 1948) is Malaysian politician who has served as the Deputy Chief Minister II and State Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries of Sabah since his coalition, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) claimed victory in the 2020 state election in September 2020. At the federal level, he served as the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture from March 2020 to his resignation in September 2020 and Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government from August 1994 to May 1995. He is founding President of the Homeland Solidarity Party (STAR), he founded and has served as its President since July 2016. He was born in the town of Kota Marudu but hailed in the interior district of Tambunan and graduated from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. His brother, Joseph Pairin Kitingan, is also a seasoned politician who served as the Chief Minister of Sabah from 1985 to 1994. Jeffrey has been referred as political "frog" (katak in Malay) for his penchant of party hopping throughout his political career. Jeffrey responded by commenting that party hopping has been the common practice in Sabah politics. He defended himself that he switch parties in order to find the one that is suitable to fight for the rights of the Sabah people.