In Bid For Sindumin Ex Sipitang Mp Says Being Musa S Son Not A Burden

---

 


While a newcomer in PKR's lineup of candidates, Yamani Hafez Musa is relying on his own experiences as former Sipitang MP in the contest for the Sindumin state seat.
According to Astro Awani, Yamani said his status as the eldest son of Sabah governor Musa Aman is neither a burden nor an advantage in facing the upcoming 17th Sabah election.
“Perhaps I don’t feel the burden (of being Musa’s son) because this isn’t my first time contesting.
"I’ve previously contested at the parliamentary level, so this isn’t something unfamiliar to me.
ADS"This is also the same area I contested in before, only now I’m running for a state seat," he was quoted as saying.
He added that the Sindumin constituency, one of the state seats under the Sipitang parliamentary area, is especially close to his heart as it was where he began his political career about 15 years ago.
“This isn’t something new for me in terms of my connection with the community. This is the place where I started my political career 15 years ago at the Youth level before I was given the opportunity to contest.
“So this is nothing new, and it’s a place I’m familiar with and confident about continuing to deliver what can be achieved in the future,” he explained.
The one-term Sipitang MP had won the federal seat on a BN-Umno ticket in the 2018 general election, but only took his oath eight months later on Jan 7, 2019.
Period of absence
Yamani's return at the time followed a period of absence along with Musa, who left the country on May 16, 2018, following a police report by then Sabah governor Juhar Mahiruddin accusing the then chief minister of criminal intimidation.
“Maybe that (family) background would be a burden for some people, but for me, it’s not a problem.
"This is a democratic country - anyone who feels they can offer themselves to serve the people has the right to do so… yes, that’s democracy, so there’s really no issue,” he was quoted as saying.
In December 2018, one month prior to his return, Yamani, while in absentia, joined more than a dozen Sabah Umno MPs and state assemblypersons to leave the party and remained as Independents in support of Pakatan Harapan, led by then Bersatu chairperson and prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
However, he went on to officially join Bersatu in September 2019, remaining with the party even after Mahathir's exit and the subsequent political developments - leading up to his appointment as deputy finance minister II under the BN-led Ismail Sabri Yaakob's administration.
Yamani did not defend his Sipitang seat in the 15th general election, and had maintained a low profile up until PKR's official announcement of his candidacy in Sindumin, during a function in Kota Kinabalu, yesterday.
ADSMusa’s controversial past
Prior to the announcement, speculations surrounding Yamani's candidacy were marked by criticisms that also targeted Musa's controversial past and his subsequent rise as Sabah governor.
Sabah governor Musa AmanOn his upcoming campaign trail, Yamani reportedly said, “We go to the ground and listen for ourselves."
"Each place has different needs, and most importantly, the messages conveyed at the grassroots level reach us, so we can note what needs improvement if we’re given the mandate.
"I think that’s what matters most when offering oneself to contest,” he said, adding that a full manifesto will be released on Nov 14, a day prior to official nominations. - Mkini

---