Kota Kinabalu: A huge crowd comprising mostly young people had a rare glimpse of another side of the State's Chief Executive, Saturday, that not many knew – he was a State junior cross country champion for three consecutive years and an Arsenal fan.In a fun-filled programme themed "Stay Stay Bosku", which was similar to the David Letterman talk show, Musa opened up to the packed audience by answering questions from host, Farish Aziz, who earlier requested to address Datuk Seri Musa Aman as "bosku" (my boss), just for the occasion.Soon after a moment of silence to pay respects to the sudden passing Friday of Tungku Assemblyman Datuk Mohd Suhaili Said, the programme began with the host announcing a surprise, and on the big screen was a black and white photo of Musa taken when he was 16.
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"I don't recognise the young man in the photo," the Chief Minister joked, while looking surprised over how the photo managed to be dug out. The host explained that he had done his research for the programme.Musa said the picture of him in a striped shirt covered with a jacket was taken when he was practising for a drama.
He said one of his idols was the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee whom he described as genius for he was multi-talented.He recalled that his younger days were no different from most teenagers his age and spent a lot of time outdoors playing sports and practising for a drama. He also said he enjoyed climbing rambutan trees.
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Next, another photo was screened showing him receiving a prize after winning a cross country race at Sabah College, an event which had always been the highlight and eagerly looked forward to by all students."A student would be hugely popular in school if he won the cross country race. That was the reason why I took part in it," he confessed.
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But fame did not come easy as Musa also revealed that without anyone's knowledge at that time, he spent hours in training while the rest of his hostel mates were still in bed."I quietly trained every 5am while the rest of my mates were still sleeping. Come the day of the race, I was well prepared," he said, and that he enjoyed the last 100 metre dash to the finish line while being spurred on by the cheering crowd.He was rewarded for his discipline and determination in training as he went on to win the race for three consecutive years. He also took part in middle distance races during his schooling days.Musa also shared how he started entering boarding school at age 10 during which he had to do his own washing of clothes and school shoes, including ironing."I still iron my shirt whenever the maid or my wife are busy," he revealed.He said he started out as a businessman before entering politics and owed his success to reading a lot of self-help books including those famous entrepreneurs who started out humbly but rose to become hugely successful because they were disciplined and determined.At this point, another photo was put up showing a younger Musa on a business trip abroad, trying to market rubber gloves. On this note, he said everyone can be just as successful in their respective undertaking if they put the effort, maintain discipline and are hungry for success.When the floor was opened for questions, a member from the audience asked Musa what motivated him to give priority to conserve Sabah's natural resources, particularly the forests."I always tell my friends that I'm doing this not for myself, but for all of you especially the young people. It's our heritage that will have a higher value in the future," he said, while reiterating that Sabah has already exceeded the International Union of Conservation for Nature's standard by having 30 per cent forest cover, has 2.9 million hectares of Totally Protected Areas as well as replanted 600,000 hectares of trees.
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Because of his busy schedule in running the fairs of the State, Musa admitted that he has no time for hobbies and holidays."I have to work even during weekends." But he added that he keeps himself fit by sticking to a daily exercise routine including swimming, cycling and sometimes brisk walking. - Leonard Alaza