Musa Aman: I’m not running, I’m in UK for treatment

KUALA LUMPUR - Musa Aman today denied that he was on the run, saying he had left the country legally for the UK to seek medical treatment and for “personal reasons”.

Musa, who claims he was legally appointed chief minister of Sabah, said in a statement that he had filed lawsuits against both the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah and Chief Minister Shafie Apdal over their “unconstitutional acts”.

It was recently reported that police were looking for Musa over a report of alleged criminal intimidation of Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Juhar Mahiruddin.

Musa said recent statements and reports suggested that he had left Malaysia illegally or that he had illegally entered the UK.

“The inference is that I have become a fugitive and am making myself deliberately unavailable to the authorities with regard to investigations into events at Istana Negeri on the night of May 10 and into associated matters.

“Nothing could be further than the truth. I believe that some of these reports have regrettably been made with the intention of seeking to embarrass or discredit me for political reasons.”

He said he left Malaysia lawfully on May 16 and was in the UK “for medical and other personal reasons”.

“I have already commenced proceedings in the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak seeking orders against both the Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah and Datuk Seri Shafie Bin Hj Apdal as a consequence of ultra vires and unconstitutional acts by the Yang Dipertua Negeri following his swearing in of myself as chief minister.

“He improperly asked me to resign within 48 hours, declined to sign instruments of appointment, and purported to swear in Shafie Apdal as chief minister while I was still in office. These matters are now sub judice and before the High Court as a result of my originating summons.”

Musa said he had made it clear to Sabah police commissioner Ramli Din that he was willing to assist the police in any inquiry into these matters.

“I have instructed lawyers both in Malaysia and London and any questions or requests for further information have only to be communicated to them.”

The crisis in Sabah erupted when both Barisan Nasional and the Warisan-Pakatan Harapan alliance secured 29 seats each in the state legislative assembly. Initially, Musa showed he had the support of two Parti Solidarity Tanah Airku assemblymen and was sworn in by Juhar.

However, two days later, Shafie showed he had majority support when several assemblymen from other parties crossed over. Juhar asked Musa to resign and swore in Shafie as the new chief minister.