KOTA KINABALU: Speculation is rife that former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman is among the names being considered to be appointed as the next Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah.
Such rumours started circulating as the current Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin is set to conclude his term on Dec 31 after serving the position since 2011, making him the longest-serving Sabah governor to date.
Speculation surrounding Musa intensified following claims on social media that the ceremony to hand over the appointment letter for the Sabah governorship will take place at the Singgahsana Kecil, Istana Negara, from 9.30am to 11am on Dec 17.
As of press time, there is no confirmation on the matter until the ceremony takes place next Tuesday.
However, it is learned that Musa, who was previously the Sungai Sibuga assemblyman, is among the names being considered for the position.
Musa, 73, holds the record as the longest-serving Sabah Chief Minister, having served the role from 2003 to 2018.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had previously said that the state government would submit a list of candidates for the new Sabah governor to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for consideration, as Tun Juhar's term is scheduled to end on Dec 31.
Hajiji, nevertheless, stressed that the appointment of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah falls under the authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, while the state government merely proposes suitable candidates.
It was reported that Juhar has been reappointed as Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah for a fourth term on Dec 23, 2022.
This fourth term, effective from Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, this year, means that Juhar has held the position for more than a decade, making him the longest-serving Sabah Governor.
Juhar may still be reappointed as Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah after his term ends at the end of the year unless he decides not to continue serving.
Apart from Musa, other names being floated as potential candidates for the position include former Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, former Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and former Chief Justice Tun Richard Malanjum.