Don’t read too much into why Anifah declined post, says big brother Musa Aman

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman said his younger brother Datuk Anifah Aman had declined the Deputy Minister’s post as he had served in that capacity for two terms. 

“Anifah (who was named as Deputy Transport Minister) told me that it was time for him to make way for others,” Musa said, adding that since his brother had made his stand known, there should not be any speculation of “things that are not there”. 

Musa, the state Barisan and Sabah Umno chairman, said he was pleased with the appointment of three full ministers and four deputies, including Anifah, from the state. 

“With the Cabinet appointments, the time for politicking is over. It is time to work and fulfil the promises we had made to strengthen the people’s confidence in us,” he said. 

Musa said the Sabah government would work with the Federal Cabinet under Abdullah’s leadership for the betterment of the people. 

On the absence of any Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) representative in the Cabinet or deputy minister’s post, Musa said he hoped the party would be given some role in future. 

Asked about the state’s move to increase the number of assistant ministers from 14 to 18, Musa said it was in tandem with the increase in the number of constituencies in Sabah. 

“During the Usno era, there were 32 constituencies with nine assistant ministers. This was increased to 14 assistant ministers when the constituencies were expanded to 48. 

“Now that we have 60 constituencies, it’s only appropriate that the number of assistant ministers be increased,” he explained. 

Musa said amendments to the Sabah Constitution to increase the number of assistant ministers would be tabled at the State Assembly meeting on April 23.