Musa likely in London
(The Star) – The disappearance of Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Musa Aman from the public eye – and the police – has triggered massive speculation over his whereabouts and what his political game plan is.
His friends and foes are left wondering as the indications are that Musa, who is being sought by the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), had slipped out of the country.
Sources told The Star that Musa was in London as of Friday.
He is being sought by the police over a criminal intimidation report lodged against him by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and the MACC over a graft probe.
“Tan Sri Musa Aman says the MACC is welcome to search his residence,” Zahir said in a statement.
It is learnt that anti-graft officers had gone to two houses in Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan belonging to Musa several days ago to conduct a search but they were unsuccessful as both properties were unoccupied then.
No arrest warrant has been issued for Musa as yet.
One close aide, who declined to be named, claimed that Musa would show up soon to answer questions over the May 14 police report lodged by Juhar.
“He is not on the run,” said the official, who admitted that he is unaware of the exact location of Musa, who was last seen at an Umno meeting chaired by Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Kuala Lumpur on May 16.
Musa had also met Dr Ahmad Zahid at his house a day later but has since gone under the radar.
Sabah Umno leaders are also claiming to be in the dark over his whereabouts.
Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said he lost contact with Musa, whom he last saw during the Umno meeting in Kuala Lumpur last week.
“I met him about 10 days ago during the Umno meeting and after that, I lost contact with him.
“I don’t know where he is. The others (Sabah Umno leaders) don’t know either,” said Bung Moktar.
MACC sources have indicated that Musa had left the country before they could apply for him to be blacklisted from travelling.
Sabah police have asked him to give his statement but said they do not have an arrest warrant for Musa, whom they confirmed is not in Kota Kinabalu.
A check on Musa’s imposing gated private residence named Sri Anggerik in Luyang here showed little activity within.
The security guard on duty said no one was inside the house and that no visitors had come either.
Musa has only been talking through his lawyers on the issue of the alleged criminal intimidation and also on his legal suit in challenging Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal’s appointment.
On May 17, Musa filed a suit seeking a court declaration that he was the legitimate chief minister.
A week later, Zahir said his client had denied allegations of criminal intimidation against Juhar.
Musa’s opponents believe that he is likely to stay away from the country for a while until the shockwaves settle.
These days, there is much coffeeshop talk here that businessmen linked to the Barisan administration would be leaving the state.
Tongues are wagging about when and where Musa will reappear as Sabahans wonder if more political drama is on the horizon.
