Musa is back as state rep

KOTA KINABALU: The stage is set for a bitter legal battle involving archrival Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Tan Sri Musa Aman as the former chief minister flew back into town to be sworn in as a state assemblyman.

Declaring that he was no fugitive – as made out by his critics in the months since he took off abruptly for London following the May 9 general election – Musa insisted that he was “a son of Sabah”.

Sporting a grey beard and having to use a walking stick, the frail-looking Musa yesterday got himself sworn in as the Sungai Sibuga assemblyman three hours after he returned on a private Bombardier jet.

More than 1,000 supporters turned up by the busloads at Terminal Two of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport. The jet touched down at 12.30pm.

“I am a Sabah native. I have returned to fulfil my duties as an assemblyman despite health concerns, and against my doctors’ advice.

“I have given my full co-operation to the authorities in KL and will continue to do so whenever needed.

“I am not a fugitive, as what has been claimed on social media; I have no intention to run away,” Musa read out from a statement in a sombre four-minute press conference after he took his oath before State Speaker Datuk Seri Syed Abas Syed Ali.

“My fight for this state and its people will continue. To all who have supported and prayed for me all this while, thank you,” he added.

Back home: Musa arriving to be sworn in as Sungai Sibuga assemblyman at the state assembly complex. — Bernama

Musa then left immediately, without taking questions from reporters.

Only when a reporter said “all the best Tan Sri” did he reply “thank you” as he walked back to a waiting car at the state assembly complex.

It is believed that he headed back to his house but some said he would seek further medical assistance locally.

Musa, who has been undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness overseas, returned to Sabah 112 days after he left on a Malindo flight to Kuala Lumpur on May 14.

He left Malaysia for London on May 17.

His departure from Sabah came after he was removed as chief minister two days after his swearing in on May 10, with Parti Warisan Sabah president Shafie replacing him.

Musa maintains that he is the legal chief minister. The High Court is expected to make a decision on his legal suit on Oct 26.

With Shafie now holding a two-third majority with 43 seats in the 64-member house, analyst expect Musa to shore up the disjointed opposition from Sabah Umno, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Sabah STAR and independents ahead of the court decision.

Musa is expected to be questioned by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) over allegations of attempting to “buy” over assemblymen, as well as other cases related to forestry deals under his watch as chief minister.

Police have already completed recording Musa’s statement in connection with an alleged criminal intimidation case involving the Govenor Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.