KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin never received the 33 statutory declarations (SD) from former chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman before the dissolution of the state assembly.
Private secretary to the Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Abinan Asli, also denied that the Istana Negeri had received any application from Musa to seek an audience with Tun Juhar.
He also rubbished a statement by Gerakan Akar Umbi Umno (Gaum) chairman Datuk Zulkarnain Mahdar on allegations against the Istana Negeri which among others, claimed Tun Juhar had abused his power and received an inducement to dissolve the assembly.
"Tuan Yang Terutama Tun (Juhar), before signing the declaration of state assembly's dissolution, never received (the) 33 statutory declarations (signed by assemblymen to declare their support for Musa) as alleged by Zulkarnain.
"Musa's entourage which included elected representatives siding with the former chief minister had attempted to enter the Istana Negeri by force on July 30 around 3.50pm, without making an official appointment, thus they were blocked by the police," Abinan said in a press conference.
He said the Istana Negeri had never instructed the police to stop Musa from entering the compound but the blockage was mounted to prevent untoward incidents.
"Furthermore, as Musa and his entourage did not need seek for an audience with the Tuan Yang Terutama, the assembly was dissolved in the morning of July 30."
Abinan added that Tun Juhar was disappointed with the spread of inaccurate reports of him on social media including Whatsapp, and reminded the people to remain calm and not to be influenced by fake news.