THE winds of change have shaken Sabah, but many in the Bornean state are concerned that there will be a repeat of the 1984 political crisis, when an attempted coup took place.

Johan Ariffin, a member of the G25 group of influential former civil servants, said Sabahans could see, mirrored in this election, the 1984 crisis where the late Usno president, Mustapha Datu Harun, tried to get himself elected as the Sabah chief minister despite not commanding a simple majority.

From 1.40am until 3am today, Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman Musa Aman made two attempts to visit the Istana Negeri, but was barred by guards.

It was learnt that Musa was trying to get himself appointed as chief minister even before the election results were officially announced.

The same incident had taken place with Mustapha, who entered the Istana Negeri and obtained an appointment as chief minister from the then-Head of State Adnan Robert.

“Musa tried to pre-empt the situation before the final results were confirmed… by doing so, he (Musa) has embarrassed himself and Sabah,” said Johan.

“Now he is caught in a no-man’s-land, as the new prime minister designate is from the opposition bloc and not Umno,” he said.

Parti Warisan Sabah-Pakatan Harapan is presently tied with BN with 29 state seats, with the only kingmaker state seat belonging to Sabah Star president Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

Unless there are politicians jumping ship, Sabah is stuck with a political standstill without either parties being able to form the state government.

Despite so, Johan said there’s no cause for concern, as Warisan is aligned with PH.

“Even if Musa manages to form the government, he still has to kowtow to the federal.

“Musa has no power anymore,” he said.

Around 10am today, Warisan head Shafie Apdal also made his way to the Istana Negeri but was denied entry.

He plans to make a second attempt to be elected as chief minister around 2pm today.

At Shafie’s home, Upko president Wilfred Tangau had a short discussion with Shafie, but refused to say what was discussed when approached, telling reporters he would return to Shafie’s house in due time.

Meanwhile, sources within the BN camp say Musa remains silent, although he is due to make an announcement today. – May 10, 2018.