The Malaysian Insight

SIPITANG MP Yamani Hafez Musa, son of former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman, has been a Bersatu member since January, said the party’s state chief Hajiji Mohd Noor today.

“Yes, he has joined Bersatu. If I’m not mistaken, he has been in the party since January, right before he was sworn in as MP on January 7,” Hajiji told The Malaysian Insight when met at the Sabah PKR Hari Raya open house in Kota Kinabalu.

When asked why Hafez’s membership was kept a secret, Hajiji refused to comment.

Yamani, who had followed his father to London, was late to be sworn in as Sipitang MP.

He had won the Sipitang federal seat under the Umno ticket at the last general election.

His name was included in the list of Sabah MPs and state assemblymen who exited Umno on December 9, but Yamani did not become an independent MP as reported.

Hajiji also did not comment if Musa, who is Sabah Umno liaision chief, would join Bersatu.

“I think you have to check this with him.”

Sources close to Musa said he is no longer interested to stay in Umno, and has set his eyes on Bersatu as his plans to make a political comeback.

However, the source said the court charges against him may impede that. Musa is facing 51 counts of charges of money laundering and graft during his time as Sabah chief minister.  

Hajiji, who is Sulaman assemblyman, and fellow Karanaan assemblyman Masidi Manjun, along with MPs Ronald Kiandee (Beluran), Rahim Bakri (Kudat), Azizah Mohd Dun (Beafort), as well as senators John Ambrose and Abdul Ghani Mohamed Yassin were the first Umno leaders to have joined Bersatu on March 15.

They received their membership cards from Bersatu chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Nabawan assemblyman Bobbey Suan of United Pasok Momogun KadazanDusun Murut Organisation and other Umno representatives received their memberships during the launch of Sabah Bersatu on April 6. – June 16, 2019.