SABAH POLLS | Prior to the state polls, former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman sparked speculations over his "return to Sungai Manila" statement but this was dashed after his no-show on nomination day last Saturday.
Since then, Musa's (above) whereabouts remained unknown, until his surprise appearance at a public event in Beaufort yesterday, which was also attended by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
He was then reportedly spotted on the campaign trail for the PBS' Kiulu candidate, Joniston Bangkuai, earlier today.
He was also spotted at another function this evening organised for Bersatu's Sulaman candidate, Hajiji Noor, who is also the Sabah Bersatu chief.
Musa, who triggered the state polls after his failed attempt to oust incumbent chief minister Shafie Apdal's Warisan-led administration, officially remains an Umno member.
He has so far only appeared at functions linked to Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidates, except at Kampung Mengkabong today where he performed prayers with BN candidates Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit) and Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk).
BN and PN are fielding candidates under their own banners, although several state opposition parties have since brokered the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah pact.
Responding to Musa's seeming return, Sabah BN chief Bung Moktar Radin reportedly invited the incumbent Sungai Sibuga assemblyperson to come back and assist Libaran Umno's machinery, the division he led for over 20 years.
"I expect maybe Musa may also campaign for Umno soon. Maybe not today or the day after tomorrow, but soon. I hope so.
"Maybe he will campaign for the Libaran candidate because he is the former Libaran leader, and our former chief minister," said Bung, the Kinabatangan MP, who was quoted by The Malay Mail while on the campaign trail in Pitas.
Bung (photo) also reportedly said he received word that Musa will be heading to Libaran, situated on Sabah's east coast, near Sandakan.
"So that will be good news. Come and campaign for BN in Libaran.
"I welcome him," said Bung, who previously claimed that Musa did not apply with BN to recontest his seat in this state election.
In the run-up to the polls, it was reported that Musa had a fallout with the Umno leadership ever since his failed political coup attempt.
An aide to Musa told Malaysiakini that his boss was expected to return to Sandakan and Libaran soon, where he has a mansion which is located right next to the Dewan Serbaguna Libaran hall.
The hall was used as a nomination centre for N50 Gum-gum, N52 Sungai Sibuga, and the newly-created state constituency N51 Sungai Manila. These three state seats are under the Libaran parliamentary constituency.
"But the date (of his return) has not been set," said the aide in a brief text message.
Musa held the Sungai Sibuga seat since 1994 and led Libaran Umno up until 2018 when he was replaced by its current chief, Suhaimi Nasir, also BN's candidate for Gum-Gum.
When contacted, BN's Sungai Sibuga candidate Mohammad Hamsan Awang Supain and BN's Sungai Manila candidate Mokran Ingkat (photo) both welcomed Bung's invitation for Musa to return and assist their campaigns.
"Tan Sri Musa Aman's presence here is very much welcomed.
"It was the right decision made (for Bung to invite Musa)," said Mohammad Hamsan who previously claimed to have received Musa's support to contest the seat.
The retired civil servant told Malaysiakini that during his campaigning so far, he had reminded voters of developments brought by BN during Musa's time.
"Many still appreciate his contribution," said the former Sandakan Municipal Council deputy president.
Meanwhile, Mokran claimed that Musa was missed by voters across Libaran, and he similarly brought up how development in the area was allegedly neglected under Warisan rule.
The contest for Sungai Sibuga will also see BN going up against Musa's former Umno Wanita chief, Armani Mahiruddin - who is now fielded as a Warisan candidate - as well as three others from Sabah-based parties LDP, Parti Cinta Sabah, and Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah.
Polling day for the Sabah state election will be held on September 26. - Mkini
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