KOTA KINABALU – Former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman scheduled landing in Sabah this coming Wednesday has further solidified speculation over his appointment as the next Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of the state, succeeding Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.
The speculation gained momentum following a letter issued today by the Sabah Chief Minister’s Department’s Protocol and Ceremony Division. The letter outlined arrangements for Musa’s arrival at Terminal 2, Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) this Wednesday.
What raised eyebrows was the letter’s subject line, which addressed Musa as ‘Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman’. However, no official position was mentioned in the letter’s content.
Musa’s arrival is set for Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 11.30am in the VIP Room of Terminal 2, KKIA. The timing aligns with expectations of an appointment ceremony tomorrow, between 9.30am and 11.00am, to formalise the governorship.
The decision to postpone the Ex-Gegar KKIA emergency drill, originally scheduled for tomorrow, has further added to speculation surrounding Musa’s anticipated appointment.
Juhar’s tenure nears its end
Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, Sabah’s longest-serving Governor, has held the position since January 1, 2011. His tenure, extended beyond the two-term limit following constitutional amendments in 2018, is set to end on December 31, 2024.
A ceremony to hand over the appointment letter for the governorship is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17. However, there remains the possibility that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, may choose to extend Juhar’s tenure.
The appointment of Sabah’s Governor is made by the King on the advice of the Chief Minister. Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has said he will submit a list of candidates for Sultan Ibrahim’s consideration.
Top contenders for the role
At 73, Musa Aman is seen as the most prominent candidate. He served as Sabah’s Chief Minister from 2003 to 2018, making him the longest-serving holder of that office.
Other names reportedly under consideration include former Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, and former Chief Justice Tun Richard Malanjum.
If the speculation is accurate, Musa would become Sabah’s 11th Governor.
Musa’s political career faced a turning point in 2018 when the state election sparked a constitutional crisis.
Although he was initially sworn in as Chief Minister, defections among assembly members shifted the majority to Warisan, leading to Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal’s eventual appointment.
Musa challenged Shafie’s appointment in court, but the High Court ruled in favour of Shafie in November 2018.
Later in 2018, Musa was charged with 35 counts of corruption amounting to US$63 million linked to timber concessions. He pleaded not guilty.
In 2019, he faced an additional 16 charges of money laundering totalling over US$30 million. By June 2020, all 46 charges were dropped, and Musa was acquitted. – December 16, 2024