KOTA KINABALU: A former deputy chief minister under Tun Musa Aman’s state cabinet has urged an end to the slander campaign against the incoming Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri (TYT).
Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin said that Musa is the most suitable and qualified candidate to be appointed as the new Sabah TYT after the term of the current Governor, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, expires at the end of this month.
Yahya, who is also the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) chairman, added that Musa’s appointment as the 11th Sabah TYT aligns with the State Constitution.
He added that Musa is an experienced figure who has significantly contributed to the state, particularly in the fields of economy, infrastructure development, social affairs, and politics.
"Considering that certain parties continue to spread baseless slander and allegations against Musa and the national and state leadership, I urge them to immediately cease such actions," he said on Friday (Dec 20).
“Slandering and inciting the people to hate the national and state leaderships, as well as involving His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, is highly inappropriate," he added, without specifying any individual or party.
Musa, 73, will replace Juhar Mahiruddin after the latter’s term as the 10th Sabah TYT ends on 31 December.
The longest-serving chief minister from 2003 to 2018 received the instrument of appointment as Sabah Governor from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, on Tuesday (December 17).
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stated there is no issue with Musa’s appointment as the Sabah TYT.
Anwar added that the King has given his consent to the appointment.
“If the King has given consent, then what is my stance? I accept the decision by Agong and pray that Musa will be a good TYT,” he said after attending Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang’s book launch in Ipoh on Friday.
This response came amid controversy over the former chief minister’s appointment due to Musa’s previous corruption and money laundering charges.
Anwar pointed out that the decision to acquit Musa of all 46 charges was made in 2020, during Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's tenure as prime minister.
"Why is this an issue now? Was a case brought forward? No, the case was closed," Anwar said.