Sept 3 decision on bid to strike out Musa’s suit

KOTA KINABALU: The High Court has set Sept 3 to deliver its decision on an application by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal to strike out a suit by Tan Sri Musa Aman challenging Shafie’s appointment as chief minister.

Justice Datuk Yew Jen Kie set the date after hearing arguments from both sides during case management yesterday.

Shafie was represented by counsel Datuk Douglas Lind and Musa, a former chief minister, by counsel Tengku Fuad Tengku Ahmad.

Tengku Fuad said if the court dismissed Shafie’s application, it would set the dates for the hearing.

If it allowed the application, the plaintiff, Musa, would file an appeal, he added.

Shafie filed the application on June 5 to strike out the suit on the grounds that Musa had no valid reason to challenge Shafie’s appointment on May 12 as chief minister.

The following day, Musa, who is also Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman, filed a fresh suit against the Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri and Shafie, in place of the suit filed on May 17, seeking a declaration that Musa is the rightful chief minister of Sabah.