MUSA Aman’s status as assemblyman is expected to be a hotly debated issue in the Sabah state assembly sitting tomorrow.

The former Sabah chief minister, who fled to the UK on May 16, had recently requested in a letter to the state assembly speaker an extension for his swearing in as Sungai Sibuga assemblyman on the grounds of poor health.

A Sabah assemblyman who requested anonymity said the house may call for the Sungai Sibuga state seat to be vacated.

“It could be either be because he had failed to turn up on three assembly sittings or it could be according to the timeframe that has been allotted under the state constitution,” he said.

If Musa fails to turn up for the third sitting tomorrow, the assembly could declare the seat he won in the 14th general election vacant.

The first sitting was held on June 11, while the second sitting was held on July 2.

This is stated under Article 22 (2) of the Sabah constitution, which stated: “if a member has not taken his seat within three months (90 days) from the date on which the legislative assembly first sits after his election or appointment, or within such further period as the assembly may allow, his seat shall become vacant.”

Questions have been raised among politicians as to why the sitting this time will only be held for two days, as some noted that the assembly could barely achieve anything in such a short time.

The New Straits Times yesterday reported that state assembly speaker Syed Abas Syed Ali confirmed receiving a letter from Musa.

He, however, refused to elaborate the contents and did not say whether his request for a special extension of time to take his oath had been approved.

The former State Umno liaison chief won the Sungai Sibuga seat with 14,503 votes, defeating rivals Parti Warisan Sabah’s Asmara Abdul Rahman (12,319) and Parti Kebangsaan Sabah’s Osman Enting (241).

But his victory is also being challenged by Warisan in an election petition filed at the Sabah court on June 17, along with eight other seats.

Nominated Sabah assemblyman Terrence Siambun also said Musa will be one of the highlights of tomorrow’s sitting.

“Of course, Musa will be one of the highlights and other than that, the house will discuss on the changes had been done in several ministries and head of department and agencies.

“But I’m not certain whether it will be about declaring the Sungai Sibuga vacant or maybe to allow the Umno leader to have his extension of time,” he said. – August 12, 2018.