KOTA KINABALU:
Almost everybody looked tense when Sabah Barisan Nasional Chairman, Datuk Seri Musa Aman, announced the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly yesterday. Sitting in the waiting room of his official residence at Sri Gaya here, Musa who was attired in a dark suit and wearing a songkok, with Parti Bersatu Sabah President Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan seated on his right and other incumbent assemblymen standing behind, made the most-awaited announcement at around 3pm. “I received the dissolution document signed by the Head of State Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah at 2.3Opm today (yesterday) ... I now announce the Sabah Assembly dissolved,” said Musa to start the ball rolling at the half-an- hour press conference. Earlier, BN Chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the dissolution of Parliament which was telecast live on television at 12.3Opm. Musa who was in a relaxed mood, however, stole a few smiles as he responded to questions from the floor. He repeatedly stressed the need for all BN coalition party members to “work together closely and be sincere in their struggle” to repeat the success of the 2004 general election. The priority, he said, is to work for BN and not for individual interest. “We will continue the seats formula for BN, but will discuss further on seats swapping, if there is any, after our return from a meeting at the national level in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow (today),” he said. According to Musa, there are no worries when talking about elections as they had gone through similar processes before. “If there is any problem, it would be looked into and we will find the best approach to overcome it. “Our manifesto remains. It is the BN culture, we all work as a team and our mission is to ensure all BN candidates fielded in the coming elections win big. We need to ensure the continuity of all development projects planned for the good of the people,” he said. Asked on the list of candidates who would be contesting in the polls, he said they had yet to decide pending proposed names from the other coalition party members. On another issue, he said it is not impossible for them to sweep clean all the seats, adding that all the coalition party members would help one another during the election period. Asked whether the BN would be fielding new faces in the elections, he responded with a smile: “Maybe there will (be) ... I will let you know when the time comes.” On whether he sees the opposition as a threat, Muss said: “It is not important what the opposition do, I am more concerned with BN.” He also expressed confidence of support from Sabahans, adding that the people are smart and know which party to choose to govern them
