MUSA PUTS ON A BRAVE FACE FOR BN

REBIRTH..... Caretaker Chief Minister Musa Aman's show of confidence is at odds with the rebirth of the opposition which was decimated in the 2008 election.

By : CYRIL LIM

SANDAKAN: Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman has given his Barisan Nasional coalition the edge in the 13th general election which is two weeks away.

Musa told the media outside the Libaran multipurpose hall after the nominations closed today that the ruling coalition is confident of winning the coming election due to the “strong cooperation among component parties”.

“The people’s confidence in Barisan Nasional and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is growing because of the BN’s AkuJanji manifesto which is the best and comprehensive,” said Musa who is also the Sabah BN chairman.

His show of confidence, however, is at odds with the rebirth of the opposition which was decimated in the 2008 election when the BN almost made it a clean sweep in both the state and parliamentary elections.

While the BN can boast it has the upper hand in the contest to keep the state from falling into the hands of the opposition, even a slight dent in its 2008 victory margin may be seen as a vote of no confidence in his administration.

The opposition is riding on a resurgence of what some call “the spirit of Sabah” and a general mistrust of big government.

The opposition’s battle cry “Ini kali lah” used to announce that this time or this is the election that the opposition will prevail has resounded in the chief minister’s ears for well over a year.

The surge of discontent with his administration has even attracted independents and neutrals with many in the business community, who rarely go against government, claiming they cannot compete with a chief minister who is also a businessman.

Musa’s tenure is riddled with allegations of corruption and there have been open calls for his ouster from the chief ministership from within his coalition itself.

Despite this, the wealthy and wily politician has remained in the driver’s seat much to the consternation of his political enemies.

“We in BN have worked together among component parties and have been meeting the people to explain to them what we have done and implemented for the good of the people,” Musa told the media with which he has had a difficult relationship with.

“I believe the people will continue to support BN because we have the best manifesto apart from good and capable leaders.

“What is important is for us to work together and strengthen unity to ensure success in the 13th general election,” he added.

On the five-cornered contest for the Sungai Sibuga state seat which he is the incumbent, Musa said it showed that democratic process is being practised and the government never prevented anyone from contesting or becoming a candidate in the elections.