AN embattled Musa Aman has urged the authorities to be fair and independent as police wrap up investigations into his alleged criminal intimidation case over his hasty swearing-in as Sabah chief minister.
Arrested on Thursday and then freed on police bail, Musa, who was warded at a private hospital in Subang Jaya, said institutions must not be subjected to pressure from any party or the government.
“I would also like to reaffirm my faith in the judiciary, the Royal Malaysian Police and the Immigration Department.
“They must always be allowed to carry out their duties independently and in good faith.
“The sanctity of their good office must always be protected,” he said in a statement issued late last night through his special officer, Awangku Faisyal.
Musa said he also intended to be sworn-in as Sibuga assemblyman but would only do so when his health allowed.
Constitutionally, he has up to September 11 to be sworn in or his seat will be declared vacant.
Musa, who has eluded the authorities by seeking medical treatment abroad, was being investigated for criminal intimidation as alleged by Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin over his swearing-in as chief minister in May after the 14th general election.
Parti Warisan Sabah president Shafie Apdal was subsequently sworn in as chief minister, and the two men were expected to battle each other in court over who is the rightful Sabah chief minister. The Kota Kinabalu High Court yesterday allowed Musa to challenge Shafie’s appointment.
Musa’s statement last night did not elaborate on his appeal to the authorities but it came after police announced yesterday that they would submit investigation papers on the criminal intimidation allegation to the public prosecutor on Monday.
The probe was launched following a police report lodged by Juhar on May 20, alleging that Musa had threatened him the night he was sworn in as chief minister on May 10.
Musa, who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Subang Jaya, Selangor, was arrested by police on Thursday. He had been seeking treatment in the United Kingdom and had returned to Malaysia via Singapore on Monday.
A remand application yesterday was rejected by the Petaling Jaya magistrates’ court. He is now free on police bail.
Musa was also not present at the Sabah state assembly to take his oath as assemblyman as scheduled yesterday.
At the hearing for Musa’s remand yesterday, his lawyer, Amer Hamzah, said the former chief minister had consistently kept the authorities informed of his whereabouts and given his full cooperation, despite undergoing medical treatment in the UK.
“His travels had always been through proper and regular channels, and were made clear to the magistrate. A copy of his travel document was also made available to her.
“Musa is a citizen of Malaysia and at no material point left the country illegally, nor was there any need for him to do so.
“Any accusations that he left the country illegally or that he is a fugitive or that he absconded, clearly shows the lack of knowledge and education on the part of his accusers,” said Amer.
– https://www.themalaysianinsight.com
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