Shafie: Let the courts decide on writ filed by Musa

SEMPORNA, May 17 — Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has left it to the courts to decide on the writ of summons filed today by Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Musa Aman against him and Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.

Mohd Shafie said the matter was not a problem and he would abide by the laws and regulations.

In fact, he said, Musa should emulate former Sabah chief minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan who stepped down like a gentleman when he did not receive the support of the majority of state assemblymen, giving way to Tun Sakaran Dandai to be the chief minister in 1994.

“I remember when he (Pairin) was sworn in and formed the government (but) later he lost the support of a number of assemblymen and the majority was not enough.

“He was a law-abiding gentleman and one who understands the law, without any objections took the advice of the then-Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Said Keruak and resigned to enable Tun Sakaran to take over as chief minister,” Mohd Shafie told reporters after the breaking of fast at the Pekan Semporna Mosque here today.

He said this when asked to comment on a writ of summons filed by Musa, seeking a declaration that the swearing-in of Mohd Shafie as chief minister by the Yang Dipertua Negeri was unconstitutional and unlawful.

Mohd Shafie said, apart from Pairin’s case there were other clear examples such as in Perak, the case of former Perak menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin who fell when he did not get the majority of assemblyman support.

“Based on Article 7 of the Sabah State Constitution, it is quite clear that when the chief minister does not have sufficient number of votes (expressing the confidence of the majority of assemblymen), then on the consideration and views of the Yang Dipertua Negeri, the chief minister should step down besides dismissing the State Legislative Assembly on his consent,” he said.

Meanwhile, he urged the people to be patient and give space for his government to fulfil their promises.

“But Insya-Allah, as a leader I will rarely promise if I am unable to deliver,” he said close to tears and heard thunderous applause from about 5,000 Semporna residents who attended the event.

Meanwhile, Mohd Shafie said the state government was planning to bring investors into Sabah, especially for the industrial sector in the near future.

The initiative, he said, was to bolster the economy of the east coast of Sabah.

“This will generate employment opportunities for our children in the nearby districts (from their residence),” he added. — Bernama