I did advise Agong on names for Sabah governor, says Anwar

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says he had advised Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim on other names for consideration in the appointment of the Sabah governor.

Responding to critics who have accused him of not doing anything to stop the appointment of Musa Aman to the position, the prime minister said there are limits to what he can do.

“Suddenly, the chief minister proposed a name. I did ask him if there were other names. He said, of course, there are two or three other names, but when the letter came, there was only one name.

“Now, can I advise the Agong to consider other names on the condition that I get approval from the state? Of course, I can. Did I? Yes, I did.

“They say Anwar didn’t do anything. But there was a discussion and after taking into consideration the state’s views and discussing it with the Agong … we agreed.

“Did I agree (to the appointment)? Yes,” he said at a press conference today.

Anwar said similar considerations are present even in appointments to the Cabinet.

“I think this must be (made) clear because I’ve seen so much anger and abuse expressed over the court decision (to acquit Rosmah Mansor) and also the appointment (of Musa),” he said.

Musa, Sabah’s longest-serving chief minister, has been appointed the state’s 11th governor, succeeding Juhar Mahiruddin, whose term will conclude at the end of the month.

Some have criticised his appointment, citing his previous corruption and money laundering charges.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers freed him of all 46 charges linked to timber concessions in 2020.