Musa (second left) presenting a copy of the coffee-table book to Juhar who officially launched the book, as Kitingan (second right), Afeiza (right) and Caroline look on.
KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan paid tribute to Datuk Seri Musa Aman during the launch of a coffee-table on Musa’s journey as Chief Minister, which was launched here Wednesday night.
Titled ‘Leading The Way – Musa Aman’, the 390-page book, which launched by Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, was published in English and Bahasa Malayu.
The full colour book printed on recycled paper features nine segments covering Musa’s humble beginnings to his pre-disposition to business and currently as the Chief Minister in 2003.
“When Musa was appointed Chief Minister in 2003, he was conscious of the ethnic tag that describes him as Muslim Bumiputra. He wanted to be Chief Minister for all, serving all communities in Sabah. That is more in keeping with his mixed ancestry that includes a strong KadazanDusun connection. He knows that as Chief Minister he cannot have any ethnic bias.
“He obviously felt more comfortable when he was able to discard the rotation-period ethnic label on becoming Chief Minister again after the 2004 election, and assumed the position as head of a coalition of parties made up of Sabah’s diverse ethnic group,” said Pairin at the book launch at Magellan Sutera Grand Ballroom here.
He added Musa’s winning streak comes from his ability to secure close cooperation and teamwork with his cabinet colleagues as well as state and federal officers, reinforced by strong federal backing and community support.
Pairin said Musa goes to the ground very often to visit towns and villages, and development projects in the state.
“He almost never failed to turn up whenever there was a flood, a fire outbreak or other calamities anywhere in Sabah to see for himself what help the state government could deliver quickly to the victims. There is no doubt that he is a very caring chief minister.
“This beautiful coffee table book encapsulates a legacy in the making. It spells out very admirably the depth and breadth of Sabah’s very impressive progress with Musa at the helm,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who penned the foreword mentioned that Musa has given his administration as well as the people, direction and vision of a developed Sabah.
Najib was quoted saying: “I believe in all these years, he has not deviated from the roadmap in propelling the state forward through modern and sustainable initiatives in agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.”
Former prime ministers, Tun Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Abdullah Badawi were among over 100 personalities who have contributed to the book. The input from everyone has one thing in common, which is Musa’s value of hard work, honesty and discipline.
The book’s publisher Spirits of Borneo chief executive officer Caroline Joseph Raj said over 100 personalities contributed to the book, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and two former prime ministers.
“It is not surprising to note that the inputs from everyone had one thing in common (that is) Datuk Seri’s value for hard work, honesty and discipline,” she said.
Throughout the beautifully illustrated pages of the book, the dynamism of the people of Sabah can be seen and felt.
Pictures presented in the book range from rural folks in the ‘kampung’ to staff working in high-tech factories, the building of low-cost housing for lower income population to the changing skyline of modern Sabah.
Chairperson of the book committee Afeiza Khan, in her message, said that over the years of working in his administration, she has witnessed his hands-on approach towards running the state.
“His impeccable people skills and his passion for Sabah and its people, the rule of thumb that I have picked up is that Datuk Seri Panglima (Musa) always expects of the team the same amount of commitment he places on himself.
“The simplicity of the man speaks volumes. He is just as comfortable sitting at a simple ‘kampung’ wedding as in the grandeur of a grand ballroom setting,” said Khan, who is also Musa’s press secretary.
The event, which was also attended by state ministers, representatives of government agencies, non-government organizations and corporate sector, ended with Musa signing copies of the book for guests.