Man of the hour: Musa waving at well-wishers upon his arrival at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
KOTA KINABALU: After a winding 150km journey from the interior of Keningau and enduring two bus breakdowns, Suzan Surumbut was relieved to finally arrive at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
The 69-year-old, dressed in traditional attire, was part of the Dusun Kujou Sabah Association, specially invited to perform and welcome Tun Musa Aman, Sabah’s newly-appointed Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
“Our Liawan assemblyman, Datuk Annuar Ayub, suggested we come to perform for the new Yang di-Pertua Negeri. We came willingly, excited to catch a glimpse of our governor,” she said.
The group left Keningau for the two-hour drive at 7.30am.
However, their hopes were dashed when police barricaded the main gate to prevent thousands of well-wishers from overwhelming the terminal area.
“Like many others, we tried to push our way in with our traditional musical instruments but gave up after a few attempts.
“The congestion at the gate made it impossible to enter. In the end, only three of us managed to sneak in,” Suzan said.
Despite the disappointment, Suzan and her group stayed outside to entertain the other well-wishers.
“We set up our kulintangan (a traditional instrumental ensemble of small gongs) and played songs for the crowd. Some people requested songs and even joined in singing.
“We did not get to perform for the Yang di-Pertua Negeri but at least our trip was not wasted. We entertained the people; many danced and sang with us,” she said.
Alinah Ahmad had chartered a bus with other well-wishers from Sandakan to catch a glimpse of Musa.
Suzan (eighth from left) with other members of the Dusun Kujou Sabah Association were delighted to entertain the well-wishers who remained outside the airport terminal, away from the crowded area.
“The windows were dark so I could not see him but waved anyway. I am very sure he saw me,” said the 48-year-old.
Musa, 73, arrived at around noon on the Sabah government jet, dressed in a black suit and songkok, smiling and waving to the enthusiastic crowd that had gathered as early as 8am.
Disembarking with him were his son, Datuk Yamani Hafez, State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong and State Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M. Yahya.
They were received by Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, who is also Musa’s son-in-law, several state Cabinet ministers, assemblymen and other dignitaries.
A doa selamat (thanksgiving prayer) was held at the hangar before Musa was ushered to a waiting vehicle.
Musa, who received the instrument of appointment from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, on Tuesday, will serve as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri for four years effective Jan 1, 2025, until Dec 31, 2028.
Meanwhile, former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak has urged Sabahans to rally behind Musa.
He believed the new Yang di-Pertua Negeri would bring stability to the state.
“Musa brings his vast administrative experience and steady the political fluidity in the state,” he said.
Salleh pointed out that a chief minister becoming the Yang di-Pertua Negeri was not unusual as there were four politicians who had achieved the distinction.
