Umno’s Musa Aman creates buzz as he attends Sabah PPBM Raya do

Former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman (seated centre) with Sabah PPBM chief coordinator Hajiji Mohd Noor (seated fourth from right) and other leaders at Hajiji’s Hari Raya open house in Tuaran.

TUARAN: Former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman attended a Hari Raya open house held by state PPBM coordinator Hajiji Mohd Noor at his residence here today.

The Sungai Sibuga assemblyman, who was wearing a light blue baju Melayu and samping, was greeted by Hajiji, other state PPBM leaders and several opposition assemblymen, when he arrived about 11.30am.

Heads turned as Musa, who is with Umno, arrived, leading to some excited talk about his presence at a PPBM function.

After mingling with invited guests, he spent some time with Hajiji and the other leaders in a private gathering before leaving about 1.30pm. He declined to speak to reporters.

Hajiji, who is Sulaman assemblyman, said Musa came as a friend and his “former boss”.

“We maintain our relationship as friends and, moreover, in our previous political relationship, I regarded him as my boss.”

Asked if Musa was joining PPBM, Hajiji said: “He is still an Umno member. I have yet to ask him if he’s joining.”

Hajiji told reporters: “In this Raya mood, we don’t choose who gets to come as we are open to anyone coming, especially leaders who have contributed a lot to the state.”

Former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman, accompanied by Sabah PPBM chief coordinator Hajiji Mohd Noor (right), being greeted by guests at Hajiji’s Hari Raya open house in Tuaran today.

Asked whether he had invited members of the state Cabinet, including Chief Minister Shafie Apdal, Hajiji said he did not send any official invitation to anyone, but that everyone was welcome.

“I actually invited my constituents but people heard about the open house, so they came. There was no official invite to the political leaders who came … they could have known from WhatsApp.

“Regardless of race, religion and political ideologies, all can come as friends.”

Among the Sabah PPBM elected representatives who attended were Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee, Libaran MP Zakaria Edris, Karanaan assemblyman Masidi Manjun and Klias assemblyman Isnin Aliasnih.

Opposition leaders present were former PBS president Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is now the party’s premier adviser, as well as PBS secretary-general Jahid Jahim and information chief Joniston Bangkuai.

Leaders of MCA and Parti Cinta Sabah also attended. - FMT