Musa’s hope for relative as governor dashed

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s 10th governor Juhar Mahiruddin, 57, may not have been Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman’s top choice but he still remains within the latter’s “loop” of influence, according to sources here.

Musa’s top choice was Hamid Egoh, a relative who was also the former state secretary.

Juhar, who was the Sabah Legislative Assembly Speaker, was sworn in as the state’s 10th Sabah governor at the Istana before the Chief Judge of Borneo, Richard Malanjun, yesterday.

He succeeds Ahmadshah Abdullah who retired on Dec 31 after serving two terms yesterday.

The 10th governor was appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong upon advice of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak based on a list of recommended candidates by Musa.

With Juhar sworn in, Musa’s second bid to get his relative Hamid to be appointed as governor came to an end.

During former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s tenure, Musa had tried to lobby for Hamid’s appointment as the state’s ninth governor.

But then Sabah chief minister Chong Kah Kiat ignored Musa and recommended Ahmadshah instead. Mahathir conceded, much to Musa’s chagrin.

Musa has never forgotten that snub.

Chong’s decision sealed the fallout between him and Musa which had already seen a crack over the Sipadan island development issue.

After Chong stepped down as rotating chief minister, Musa took over. He made Chong his deputy and Minster of Tourism and Environment.

Failed again

When Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (Pak Lah) took over from Mahathir, Musa endeared himself to the former by allegedly paying off his late wife’s medical bills for cancer treatment in the US.

Musa then waited for Ahmadshah to complete his first four-year term as Sabah governor before asking Pak Lah to appoint Hamid instead.

Musa had apparently told Pak Lah that Ahmadshah was not in the best of health to function as governor.

Pak Lah consulted Chong for a second opinion.

Sources said that Chong had apparently asked Pak Lah to verify the matter with Ahmadshah who eventually declared that the report that he was sick was baseless.

Pak Lah allowed Ahmadshah to continue for a second term so as not to create further controversy in Sabah over Kuala Lumpur’s role in Sabah politics.

Musa’s wrath descended on Chong over the Mazu project. Chong subsequently quit Musa’s Cabinet and Barisan Nasional politics for good.

Najib’s concern

Musa’s final attempt to make Hamid a governor was also thwarted.

Topping his list this time was Hamid. Also on Musa’s list as potential governor were his other loyalists.

But sources said Najib, who is “very concerned” about the mood in Sabah over Musa’s dominance in every sphere, did not play ball.

Sources noted that despite several attempts, Musa has been unsucessful in his bid to break into Najib’s inner circle.

It was not known if Juhar’s appointment has any bearing on Musa’s Umno rival Federal Minister Shafie Apdal who incidentally is also of Suluk descent.

With Juhar’s appointment, sources said that Najib was hoping to end any potential impasse in the event Musa is asked to leave office. Rumours are rife that Musa is among several Umno leaders who will be dropped.

“Still, there is hope for Musa. Juhar is in his (Musa’s) Sandakan network loop. Heads or tails, Musa has still got his man in as the head of state. Now the question is how much influence Musa has on Juhar,” said the source. - FMT