Kota Belud resident sues ex-Sabah CM
KOTA KINABALU: A Kota Belud resident is suing Tan Sri Musa Aman to return some US$100mil (RM400mil) allegedly pocketed during his tenure as a chairman of Yayasan Sabah over the last 12 years.
The former chief minister, who remains at large since May 17, has been ordered to appear at the Kota Kinabalu High Court on July 18 in connection with the suit.
The plaintiff Zulkifli Kassim claimed that the projects also included timber concessions.
Zulkifli claimed that as a Sabahan he was entitled to be deemed as the beneficiary of the foundation.
He accused Musa, who was chairman of the foundation, of having transferred funds meant for Yayasan Sabah into his personal bank accounts since 2006.
The suit was widely circulated in the social media.
In his suit, he said the funds should be returned to the people of Sabah.
A notice to Musa to attend the court hearing was published in a newspaper on July 5.
Musa’s lawyer Tengku Fuad Tengku Ahmad said the writ con- tained “preposterous allegations” and his client had stated that neither he nor any officers of Yayasan Sabah have been involved in any breach of trust, let alone one involving RM400mil.
He said the claims in the writ were flawed, frivolous and scandalous and were politically motivated.
“This two-page writ which purports to claim some RM400mil from Musa, is clearly motivated by mere politics and is designed to embarrass and scandalise my client.
“Other than that it is devoid of content,” said Tengku Fuad.
“Kota Kinabalu is a small town and everyone knows that my firm acts for Musa.
“So I wonder why the plaintiff (Zulkifli) chose to publish the writ in the newspaper by way of substituted service?
“Was this designed to simply humiliate my client?
“I further observe that the writ seems to have been drafted by a lawyer, albeit one of indeterminate ability.
“Who are the hidden hands behind the plaintiff?’ Tengku Fuad asked.
Musa respected the court’s process but would definitely take action when it appears to have been abused, he added.