KOTA KINABALU: Tun Musa Aman, a veteran political leader and statesman, is set to continue his legacy of service to Sabah as the state's new governor.
Born on March 30, 1951, in Beaufort, Sabah, Musa's journey from his small-town upbringing to holding Sabah's highest political office highlights his enduring leadership and commitment to the state's development.
The 73-year-old leader served as Sabah's 14th Chief Minister for 15 years, from 2003 to 2018, making him the longest-serving leader in the state's modern history.
Musa began his education at Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan St Paul in Beaufort and later attended Sabah College in Kota Kinabalu. He earned a master's degree in Business Administration from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia, and was conferred an Honorary PhD in Economic Development by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) last year.
His political career started with the United Sabah National Organisation (USNO) before joining Umno in 1990. Rising swiftly through the ranks, Musa became the Jambongan Umno division chief and later served as Sabah Barisan Nasional's (BN) treasurer.
As the Sungai Sibuga assemblyman from 1999 to 2020, Musa held key state positions, including Sabah's Minister of Finance. During his tenure as Chief Minister, he spearheaded economic reforms, improved infrastructure, and enhanced governance. He also played a significant role in managing state finances and advancing education, notably serving as UMS Pro-Chancellor.
Musa's family is deeply entrenched in Malaysian politics. His younger brother, Tan Sri Anifah Aman, is a former Foreign Minister, while his son, Datuk Yamani Hafez Musa, previously served as Deputy Finance Minister II.
Over the years, Musa has received numerous accolades, including the Tan Sri (PSM) title in 2017 and various state honours in recognition of his contributions to the nation.
As Sabah's new governor, Musa brings decades of experience and leadership to his role, promising continued dedication to the state's progress.