EMBATTLED former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman has admitted that he is in Britain after going missing since May 14. 

In a statement issued today, Musa sought to deny various claims against him, including events that took place on the night of May 10, when he was sworn-in as chief minister, and which now has become a police case.  

“I have been informed of various statements and reports in recent days that I have left Malaysia illegally or that I have illegally entered the United Kingdom. The inference is that I have become a fugitive and am making myself deliberately unavailable to the authorities with regard to investigations.

“Nothing could be further from the truth. I believe that some of these reports have regrettably been made with the intention of seeking to embarrass or discredit me for political reasons,” he said in a statement issued by his press officer Awang Faisyal.

Musa said he left Malaysia lawfully on May 16 for medical and other personal reasons, reiterating that he is seeking a High Court declaration on the legitimacy of his appointment as the chief minister.

He said the appointment of his rival, Parti Warisan Sabah president Shafie Apdal, as  chief minister on May 12 by Yang Di Pertua Negeri Sabah Juhar Mahiruddin was ultravires and unconstitutional, as he was still in office.

“He (Juhar) improperly asked me to resign within 48 hours, declined to sign Instruments of Appointment, and purported to swear in Shafie Apdal as chief minister while I was still in office.” 

Musa said he is willing to assist the police, and has instructed his lawyers in Malaysia and London that communication with the police will only be through them. – June 26, 2018.