Shafie’s wooing Yong back into BN

Selvaraja Somiah of Free Malaysia Today

| November 22, 2012

In a bid to unseat Musa Aman, Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal is allegedly brokering deals with SAPP's Yong Teck Lee.

COMMENT

Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal is allegedly masterminding the return of former Sabah chief minister Yong Teck Lee into the Barisan Nasional and claiming he has the tacit approval of party president Najib Tun Razak to negotiate the return.

This is despite the fact that Sabah BN components distrust Yong, who is Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president.

Yong, Shafie and Joseph Ambrose Lee were partners in crime at one time. They allegedly took over the RM30-billion timber wealth of Yayasan Sabah through a share-swap. The “swap” had allegedly taken place when Yong was chief minister and Shafie a directer in Yayasan Sabah.

Like it or not, it was Musa Aman who was then Sabah Finance Minister who rejected this share-swap deal, saving Yayasan Sabah from a pending doom.

Shafie’s intention of bringing Yong back into BN will weaken Musa’s leadership among BN followers.

It will serve Shafie well. Shafie’s jealousy of Musa is well known here. He has made innumerable attempts to pull Musa down.

He was responsible for instigating Beaufort MP Lajim Ukin to call Musa’s removal as chief minister. Shafie awarded Lajim with a RM150 million road project from his Rural and Regional Development Ministry.

Shafie also helped form KDM Malaysia to divide the Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) community. The aim was to politically weaken Deputy Chief Minister Pairin Joseph Kitingan and his party PBS (Parti Bersatu Sabah), hence driving a wedge between Pairin and Musa.

Why is Shafie so jealous of Musa? Shafie dreams of being the top dog in Sabah but I think it’s a pipe dream.

Musa’s good for Sabah

Irrespective of what people say, Musa has done good by Sabah. Let’s look at history.

When Sabah attained independence in 1963, Malaysia was born.

Right from independence in 1963 to 1985, the Alliance-Barisan National ruled Sabah. After 1985, Harris Salleh was defeated, and Pairin became the chief minister.

But even at that time Sabah was ruled by BN until 1986 when PBS pulled out of BN. In 1994, BN wrested control of power from PBS when Lajim defected from PBS.

His action opened a floodgate of defections from PBS and saw the collapse of Pairin’s PBS government. Sakaran Dandai became the first Umno chief minister of Sabah in 1994.

In 2003, Musa was appointed chief minister. Immediately on assuming office, Musa faced crisis after crisis.

First, the state treasury was nearly negative; Yayasan Sabah was on the verge of going bust; state agencies were in the red; and the financial situation of the state was in shambles.

Musa prudently turn around the mess he inherited.

In 2004, Musa faced state election and captured more seats than in 1999 and became the chief minister again. He won again in 2008 with a thumping victory, winning 59 out of the 60 state seats.

Musa vs Shafie

Under Musa’s rule, Sabah has registered remarkable progress in the last 10 years.

Sabah has even earned praise from Auditor-General Ambrin Buang for demonstrating sound financial management and for maintaining its record of efficient and prudent handling of its finances over the last 12 years.

One hundred and six departments and agencies were audited last year and each showed that its financial management was at a very good level.

Even Moody International has certified the Sabah government for efficient and proper budget management for three years running and RAM has given it a triple-A rating for its finances.

Sure, Sabah has had problems, but it is progressing.

Shafie, on the other hand, has had billions at his disposal under his ministerial portfolio. He has been Semporna MP since 1995 yet his achievements paled in comparison to Musa.

He has done nothing much to improve the livelihood of the Semporna folks despite having a huge budget at his disposal.

It explains Shafie’s envy.

Meanwhile, word on the ground is that Musa is set to remain chief minister for the next five years. Word is that he will move on to become the federal Finance Minister in 2017.

And when that happens, it will be to Sabah’s loss.

Selvaraja Somiah is a geologist and freelance writer. He blogs at selvarajasomiah.wordpress.com.

RM40m scandal may see BN lose Sabah’

By Teoh El Sen of Free Malaysia Today

| October 29, 2012

          

Raja Petra also claims that more are involved in the RM40 million scandal - including the home minister, attorney-general and a Cabinet minister.

 

PETALING JAYA: Timber scandals in Sabah, particularly the recent one involving a RM40 million “donation”, may cost Barisan Nasional the state, claimed Raja Petra Kamarudin today.

The editor of the Malaysia Today blog, in his latest posting “The timber mafia is larger than you suspect”, also claimed that there were more people involved in the “untold story” of timber commissions scandal and it was not just limited to businessman Michael Chia and Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman.

“The likelihood of half the parliamentary seats in Sabah falling to the opposition is not an impossible scenario. And if that happens then the state can fall as well. That is how serious this matter has become,” he said.

He said that BN could lose at least 10 of the 25 Parliamentary seats in Sabah to the opposition, while three other seats — Kota Belud, Ranau and Papar — would be “close fights and could go either way”.

The10 seats he mentioned were: Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Sipanggar, Penampang, Beaufort, Keningau, Pensiangan, Tuaran and Kota Marudu.

“If Pakatan Rakyat is clever and if they know the correct way in playing up this issue, Sabah may fall and they might even win enough parliamentary seats to march into Putrajaya. My concern is that Pakatan will instead fight amongst themselves over seat allocations, which will allow BN to retain Sabah, ” he said.

Will Musa be replaced?

Raja Petra predicted that with the scandal still brewing hot, the current chief minister’s position has become unstable and Umno may have to replace Musa as the Sabah Umno chief to appease voters.

He said that his website had published articles about the timber scandals involving Musa and others since 2004, but many are still unaware of the extent of the alleged corruption.

“Sabah Umno gives out timber concessions to its cronies and warlords at way below market price (or underpriced) and it collects a commission (or kickbacks) on the export of logs, mainly to Japan.

“The money, however, is paid in Hong Kong. And note that there is no open tender for giving out timber concessions. It is all done on a ‘negotiated’ basis and awarded to the lowest bidder that offers the highest under-the-table ‘commission’,” he alleged.

He claimed that after Chia was caught in Hong Kong in 2008 and the story “exploded”, the Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein went to Hong Kong to try to “settle” the matter with the Chinese authorities.

“Gani and Hishammuddin told the ICAC that the money actually belongs to Umno and that Chia was only the courier or bagman for Umno,” alleged Raja Petra.

He further alleged that the ICAC, in return, told the “official Malaysian delegation” that they were going to freeze the money, but for only three years.

Raja Petra also alleged that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz was also involved.

“Chia met Nazri in Parliament to hand over RM3 million in cash as the ‘fee’ for the latter to help the former resolve this matter.

“And that flashy car that Nazri’s son drives actually belongs to Chia,” alleged Raja Petra.

FMT could not reach Hishammuddin, Gani, and Nazri for comment.

 

Musa to be next Sabah's Head of State?

Crowded race for next head of state post
As published HERE http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/

By Michael Kaung
KOTA KINABALU: The race to become Sabah's next Yang Di-Pertua Negri (head of state) is on and jostling to be the next resident of the Istana on Signal Hill is an unprecedented number of senior politicians.
After enduring years of the cut and thrust of state politics each of these politicians are hoping to wind up their days in absolute comfort in the Istana which overlooks the city.
Chief Minister Musa Aman, 59, Deputy Chief Minister Yahya Hussein and Parliament Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia are among the top three contenders for the post with the impending retirement of Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah, whose term comes to an end on Jan 1, 2011.
The other contenders
Another in the running is Yahya, the minister of agriculture and food industry.
"Yahya has climbed as high as he can in government. He is unlikely to become the chief minister. He only managed to get picked (in the 2008 general election) at the last minute after some table thumping.
"He knows his chances of being nominated in the next election are slim. He's going on 60 now. He will be more than happy to settle for the head of state post which comes with prestige and wealth… he can look at being head of state for two terms… in effect 10 years.
"That will be a great way to retire… get the highest award in the country and rub shoulders with the royalty," said the observer.
Yahya's candidacy, however, is hampered by the fact that he is a state assemblyman and his resignation and elevation to the head of state post would force a by-election.
Those in the know are also speaking of him being the next Speaker of the state assembly.
"Who's next (for the head of state post)?… Pandikar. He is also about the same age (57) as Yahya. He has been lobbying very hard for the post. He's had a bypass and is feeling the pressures of continuing as Speaker.
"At one function he even said that because of his name (Pandikar means warrior), he deserves a Tunship. During the recent investiture ceremony at the Istana, word went around that he is among the frontrunners for the post," the source said.
Current State Assembly Speaker Juhar Mahiruddin is also a contender as he is among the least controversial of the frontrunners.
Payback time
Other contenders are former Finance Ministry permanent secretary Yusof Kassim.
Musa owes him for favours done. He gave Yusof two extensions when he retired and word has it that Musa nominated him for the post.
"Mayor Iliyas Ibrahim is also a contender. He's been mayor for two terms already and should be about to step down. Ilias, who's around 60, is a childhood friend of Musa," said the observer.
Also in the running is former deputy president of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) AK Aliuddin, 66, the former member of Parliament for Kimanis.
His name was reportedly put forward by Musa's younger brother, Foreign Minister Anifah as a "thank you gesture" for his contribution to Anifah's victory in the last general election.
Apart from the seven, there could be another surprise candidate for the top post who has the blessings of Kuala Lumpur

SABAH BN's new line-up

Sabah Barisan Nasional has revamped its state coordinating committees whose tour of duty is until May 15, 2011.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who is also the State BN Coordinating Chairman, said Kota Belud Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan had been appointed as State BN secretary in place of Bongawan State Assemblyman Datuk Karim Bujang.

Musa also announced the appointment of Tawau Umno vice-head Niezam Abu Bakar Titingan as the State BN executive secretary in place of former Bugaya State Assemblyman Datuk Basalie Abdul Hamid.

"I wish to thank Datuk Karim and Datuk Basalie who had made significant contributions when they were holding office in the State BN," he told reporters after the presentation of letters of appointment to the members of the new committee, here Thursday. This story from HERE

Earlier, Musa chaired a special meeting of the State BN Coordinating Committee.

Musa also announced a revamp of the divisional BN coordinating chairman following the withdrawal of the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) from the BN.

Ten new faces received the appointment letters, including State Minister of Resource and Information Technology Development Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai for the Kota Kinabalu division in place of SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee, Sepanggar Umno head Jumat Idris for the Sepanggar division in place of the Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Majimbun, who is also SAPP deputy president, and Kemabong Assemblyman Datuk Rubin Balang for the Tenom division in place of State Deputy Speaker Datuk Frankie Chong, who is also SAPP vice-president.

Meanwhile, the Kudat division is chaired by the State Assistant Minister for Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Bolkiah Ismail, replacing former Pitas Assemblyman Datuk Masrani Parman. Beluran Umno head James Ratib is chairman of the Beluran BN, replacing former Sugut Assemblyman Datuk Surady Kayong, and Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Department Datuk Nasrun Datu Mansur replaces former Silam MP Datuk Samsu Baharun as the Silam BN chairman.

Also appointed are the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk VK Liew for Sandakan BN, replacing the division's Umno head Tan Sri Ampong Puyung, State Umno deputy chairman Datuk Mohd Salleh Tun Said for the Kota Belud division in place of State Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Food Industry Datuk Musbah Jamli.

State Rural Development Minister Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin for the Ranau division in place of State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Masidi Manjun, and Sekong Assemblyman Datuk Shamsuddin Yahya for the Sandakan division in place of Batu Sapi Assemblyman Datuk Edmund Chung.

Ex-CM Salleh makes a comback

Line clear for Salleh back into the system

As published HERE today

KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Salleh Tun Said is slowly being eased back into the centre of state politics.
Salleh, who lost favour with Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman and was dropped as a BN candidate in the last election, was today given the influential post of Kota Belud BN division chief.
Salleh was earlier this year appointed as Science and Technology Adviser to the Chief Minister, a post with Cabinet rank.
Announcing a new line-up of state BN chairmen after chairing a special state BN meeting, Musa said Kota Belud MP Rahman Dahlan would replace long-serving secretary Datuk Karim Bujang, the Bongowan assemblyman.
The coalition sees 10 new faces to be among the 25 division chairmen. Incidentally, it was Rahman who replaced Salleh as a candidate for the Kota Belud parliamentary seat.
The new line-up also sees replacement for three BN division chief posts formerly held by Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), which left the coalition in September 2008.
Kota Kinabalu division was taken over by Parti Bersatu Sabah deputy president Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, Umno's Datuk Rubin Balang took over Tenom while Jumat Idris, also of Umno, took over as head of the Sepanggar division.
Also among the new faces are United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok is now the Penampang division chairman while Liberal Democratic Party president Datuk V K Liew will chair the coalition's Sandakan division.
Musa, who presented the letters of appointment from Barisan chairman, Prime Minsietr Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, said that all component parties at division level have been asked to submit the number of members at their branch levels.
He said that all Barisan division chairmen were also directed to coordinate activities with component parties as well as conduct activities to help solve people's problems in their respective areas.
"They have to strengthen the Barisan and prepare for the next general election," he told reporters.
He said an earlier meeting with eight member Sabah Barisan leaders was to discuss matters regarding party representation at local councils and also issues related to land.
"We were looking at ways to see how best to get parties to have their representatives in local councils," he said.Najib's people
Political insiders say Salleh's sudden return to the centre of Sabah politics is an interesting development.
"It appears that most of those elevated or retained are Najib's people. If that is the case, then Musa is losing his grip," said a source.
The return of Salleh also points to attempts to heal wounds that opened in United Sabah Bajau Organisation (USBO) after stalwarts, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and Datuk Datu Amir Kahar, the son of late Tun Mustapha Datu Harun, were not included in the list of BN candidates in the last election.
Salleh is the son of the late Tun Muhammad Said Keruak, a former chief minister himself and Sabah's seventh governor and founder member of the United Sabah National Organisation (USNO), the political party formed by his close friend, the late Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun.

Musa will decide soon on Raymond Tan's position

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman today said he will make a decision on Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah's position after considering views from the Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties.

Musa, who is Sabah BN head, said he has been listening to the view of BN leaders on the matter. He said some had presented their views to him and that he would discuss with them before a decision is made.

Sabah Unmo Youth leader head arrested by MACC?

Sabah Umno Youth Datuk Japlin Akim and an UPKO member had been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), a source told Daily Express in Kota Kinabalu today.

Japlin, who is Usukan assemblyman and Sabah Infrastructure Development Assistant Minister the other leader were said to have been picked up from their respected houses by MACC officers from Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur..

They were subsequently brought to court and were remanded for three days to facilitate investigations.

A journalist of the local newspaper contacted Sabah MACC director Haji Jalil Jaffar but was told that he was not aware of details about the arrest of the duo as it was carried out by MACC officials from Puterajaya.

The youth leader was among the Umno members found guilty on March 17, 2009 of political corruption by the Umno Disciplinary Board headed by Tengku Rithaudeen Tengku Ismail and was suspended from Umno for three years.

Eventhough suspended from Umno, Sabah Chief Minister and State Umno chief Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman had said that Japlin could keep his seat as well as his Assistant Minister post.

.

Burning of Sabah Flags Serious

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said the burning of the State's flag in Lahad Datu on Saturday by a group of 12 whose leader claimed to be a descendant of the Sultan of Sulu was a very serious matter that could create public unrest.

Musa, who is Sabah State Security Council's chairman, said he called on the police to probe deeper into the incident.

The 12, who also claimed to be holder of MyKad (which indicated that they are Malaysian citizens), were arrested when they tried to enter the Lahad Datu district police's headquarters by force after burning the flags in tweo location in the Lahad Datu town at 8.40am.

Lahad Datu district police chief ACP Mohd Suhaimi Abdul Rahman said the 12 were being detained for investigation under Section 143 of the Penal Code for involving in unlawful assembly.

Meanwhile, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president and Member of Parliament for Sepanggar Datuk Eric Majimbun questioned why the 12 were only held for unlawful assembly.

He said the 12 should be severely dealt with a more deterrent offence considering they burnt Sabah flags and not just dirty shirt. He said that if they were really citizens, they should be stripped of their citizenship.

Another SAPP's MP Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau) said the burning of the flags was an act of defiance against Malaysia.

"They all have MyKads and this makes it even worse as they are claiming to be representing another country," she said. She called on the Home Affairs Ministry to thoroughly investigate the matter.

In another development, SAPP in a statement, disclosed that Majimbun and Chua would move emergency motion in Parliament to compel the Federal Government to make sure the Philippines drop its so-called claim on Sabah.

SAPP members of the State Legislative Assembly Datuk Liew Teck Chan (Likas) and Melanie Chia (Luyang) will also be tabling similar motion what the Sabah Legislative Assembly begin its sitting on April 16.

Malaysians in Sabah were concerned when a foreign news agency reported last year that Philippines President Gloria Arroyo Macapagal has never made any stand on whether to recognise former president,Ferdinand Marcos, statement that Manila had dropped Philippines claim on Sabah.

SAPP files to get permit to hold demonstration

The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) today failed to get permit from the police to hold a peaceful demonstration to called on the Sabah State Government to forget about going ahead with a coal-fired power plant in Sandakan.


The party secretary general Datuk Richard Yong (pic above) in a Press statement issud in Kota Kinabalu, however, said SAPP would continue its campaign against coal-fired power plants in Sabah despite having been declined a permit to hold a peaceful demonstration here tomorrow.

He said the party would buy advertising spaces in local newspapers and send petition letters to the Chief Minister and Prime Minister to get its protest across.

Richard however thanked Kota Kinabalu OCPD ACP Ahmad Sofi Zakaria for promising to consider allowing a permit for a rally or demonstration if it is held indoors at a future date.

SAPP had planned to hold the demonstration, comprising about 100 people, at a spot near Wisma Innoprise, where the Chief Minister's office is located. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman is chairing the weekly State Cabinet meeting at Wisma Innoprise every Wednesday.

Richard said SAPP's stand against coal-fired power plants is because of the potential environmental problems caused by coal combustion.

It is urging the State and Federal governments to consider using the abundant gas reserves in Sabah for power generation, claiming that gas is cheaper and more environmentally acceptable.

"We are not against increasing power generation capacity in Sabah because we know that Sabah needs to beef up its electricity supply. Our objection is against coal-powered plants, and we strongly believe that natural gas is a better option," said Richard.

SAPP said 'it does not make sense' that Sabah would allow the piping of natural gas to Bintulu, in Sarawak, while insisting that the state should allow the setting up of a coal-fired power plant in Sandakan using coal from Indonesia.

National oil corporation, Petronas, is implementing a billion-ringgit pipeline project to convey natural gas from Sabah to Bintulu.

Following persistent public protests, including from leaders of component parties of the Barisan Nasional government, the project was supposed to have been cancelled. It has since been revived and now looks set to be implemented as planned.

"We also take exception to the fact that the Sabah government seemed powerless against the might of the Federal government and the commercial interest of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (the project owner).

"It seemed that the Sabah government is being held to ransom, that unless we allow TNB to build a coal-fired power plant, otherwise Sabah will have to continue to live with constant power outages."

Musa: Desperado Sowing Seeds Of Discord

The reports below did not say who the Desperado is but reading between the line one will positively identified the leader as former Chief Minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee, the president of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman urged the people not to be hoodwinked by a leader of a political party who is instigating the people to go against the federal government.

Describing the leader as a desperado, Musa said the people would be at the losing end if they were to believe the slander and allegations hurled against the federal government.

"This politician has been known to vent his anger at the federal government despite Sabah receiving an allocation of RM20 billion under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

"It is a huge allocation as Sabah is the second biggest state in the federation. Never let your heart rule your head and support the party which has been striving to improve the people's well-being," he said at a community event in Tawau, Sabah Monday.

Sabah AG resigns

Sabah State Attorney-General Datuk Roderic Fernandez, who was representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman in the Mazu (Goddes of the Sea) case in the Kota Kinabalu High Court, dropped a bombshell Monday when he announced that he had resigned as the Sabah Government's top eagle eagle.

He was due to cross-examine the plaintiff in the case, former Chief Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat, when hearing resumed but he did not turn up, forcing the case to be adjourned by Judicial Commissioner Yew Jen Kie to May 4, 2009.

State Counsel Hanafiah Kassim informed the court that Fernandez had resigned last Friday (Jan 16, 2009).

In a one-paragraph statement, Fernandez, 50, who was appointed State A-G in 2006 by the Head of State on the advice of the Chief Minister, said he had tendered his resignation last Friday with a heavy heart.

"Due to personal family reasons, I have entertaining the idea of resigning for a few months now, he said, adding, "as of late my personal matters have become more pressing." He thanked Musa, who he said, had reluctantly accepted his resignation, and officers of the State A-G's Chambers for their cooperation.

Fernandez took over from Datuk Mohd Bazain Idris in May 2006, prior to which he was mainly involved in civil litigation and conveyancing.

He had been representing Musa and three other defendants in the civil suit brought by Chong pertaining to the construction of a Mazu statue in Kudat whose approval was revoked by the defendants.

The defendants will now be represented by Richard Barnes from the legal firm of Messer Shelley Yap & Co. The other defendants are former State Secretary Datuk KY Mustafa, Local Government and Housing permanent secretary Datuk Ujang Sulani and the Kudat Town Board.

Barnes had applied for a-three-month adjournment of the hearing `in the interest of justice', saying that he had to go through the volumes of document and issues raised pertaining to the case.

The Multi-million ringgit Mazu project was undertaken by the Kudat Thean Hou Charitable Foundation, headed by Chong. Construction was in progress, the statue brought from China when the approval was withdrawn by the defendants.

Chong's lawyer is Haji Ansari Abdullah.

Meanwhile, in a statement later the former A-G denied that his resignation was connected to the Mazu court case.

Chief Minister Musa Aman

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman has something to tell the Press today. He is now chairing the weekly State Cabinet meeting and is scheduled to give a Press conference soon after the meeting end.

It is not exactly known what Musa has to say but given the political scenario in Malaysia, in general and Sabah in particular, he is sure to have comments that will be eagerly being awaited by the people of Sabah.

After the meeting Musa told reporters that the Sabah government employees will receive one month bonus and it will be paid in two instalments, namely before Hari Raya and in December.

“We hope with the bonus payment, we are in the same course as the national leadership and also the 2009 budget which has announced the payment of a month bonus for federal government employees,” he told reporters.

Speaking to reporters after chairing the State Cabinet meeting here, he said the state government would spend about RM32.5 million to pay the bonus to 19,363 state civil servants.

But it was bad news to those working in local authorities like Cty Council, Municipal Council and District Council. They will no bonus for them but the councils have the authority to pay their employees bonus from their own funds.

Musa Aman: Nothing to do with me

"I would like to stress here that I have no political and financial connection with this man," Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said of a posting HERE linking him with a Sabahan businessman arrested in Hongkong last Thursday for alleged money trafficking and laundering.

"He is not my nominee and I have no nominee," Musa, Who is also Sabah Finance Minister.

"I know him and as Chief Minister of Sabah I meet a lot of friends and I have many friends," he said when asked by reporters whether he knew Michael Chia as the businessman named in the report.

Malaysia Today quoted a close source of the Hongkong police and Interpol that they had monitored the person's activities for three months.

The reported stated that the businessman who was reported to have had his Malaysian passport impounded was nabbed together with Singapore worth RM16 million inside his baggage while trying to board a flight to Kuala Lumpur at the Chejk Lap Kok Airport.

Musa says......

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman issued a three paragraphs Press statement on Sabah Progressive Party's action.


KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman expressed his hisappointment over the announcement by Datuk Yong Teck Lee, SAPP President, that the party's MPs would support a vote of no confidence on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"I am not sure what is SAPP's real motive in making such a move," he said in a statement today.

Musa said as a BN component party President, such an act is uncalled for and unprecedented based on the spirit of camaraderis practiced by the BN all this while.

Musa to contersue Chong

Sabah Ex-Chief Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat's lawyer finally was able to file his suit at the Kota Kinabalu High Court against sitting Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman on Feb 6, 2008. The file was to be filed the day before but was not done so due to some technical problem.

In his suit, Chong, among others, is seeking to declare that Musa had abused his power as Chief Minister pertaining to an alleged instruction to several authorities to revoke the approval to construct a mulit-million ringgit statue in Kudat given to the Kudat Thean Hau Charitable Foundation.

Chong, who is chairman of the foundation, is also Tanjung Kapor Assemblyman. This is the second suit filed by Chong. The first was filed on Dec 12, 2007 seeking declaration as null and void the State Government's decision to rescind its approval for the construction of the status.

Meanwhile, Musa had announced that he would intruct his lawyers to vigorously defend the suit filed by Chong, with the possibility of a counter suit.

Musa believed that the suit and matters raised are frivolous, vexations and an abuse of the process of the court.

Musa also said that he believd that this (suit) was a desparate act of a bitter man and his action were prompted by malice and spite.

My Say:

This issue will be one of the matters which will be `hot talks' during campaign of the general election, especially to be exploited by the opposition parties.

Chong suing Musa

As I was having my breakfast in my favourate noodle shop in Inanam this morning, I was alerted by a journalist friend that former Chief Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat will this afternoon file a suit at the Kota Kinabalu High Court against Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman.

Last year, Chong who is Tanjung Kapor Assemblyman, had filed a suit against the Kudat District Council and the Housing Aauthority in the Local Government and Housing Ministry for revoking an approval for the construction of a multo-million ringgits Ma Zu statue.

At the time of posting, I do not have the details of Chong's suit but I was told that he is suing Musa for alleged abuses of power.

To be updated.

A caring Chief Minister

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman yesterday took time off from his busy schedules to meet victims of the fire that razed about 50 houses, making some 300 homeless at the water village of Kampung Tanjung Aru Lama, just a stone throw from Kota Kinabalu City.

Musa told the victims that the State Government would assist them as the best they could so as to reduce their burden. Musa, who is also Sabah Finance Minister, also made a personal donation of RM12,500, which he distributed RM300 to each of the affected 43 families.

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu, is the first hotel in the City to give donations to the fire victims and also hosted a breaking of fast (buka puasa) to the villagers who are majority Muslims.

My Say:

Initial investigations by the City Fire and Rescue Services Department indicated that the fire was started by a boy playing with firecrackers.

Probably the boy was unable to wait for the Hari Raya celebration to play with his firecrackers, something that he will regret forever.

This boy and his family will be among the many affected families not being able to celebrate Hari Raya like in previous years for they now have no house. Most of them are putting up at the community halls in Sembulan and Tanjnung Aru.