KOTA KINABALU, July 30  -- All eyes are on Istana Negeri here, the official residence of  Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, following the latest political situation in the state.

This follows former Sabah chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman at a press conference here yesterday claiming that he had secured a simple majority to form a new state government in a coalition involving several parties.

At 8,20 am, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal was seen entering Istana Negeri in a convoy of cars.

The convoy was then seen leaving Istana Negeri at about 9 am.

Security was extremely tight at the entrances to Istana Negeri and reporters were not allowed to get near.

Mohd Shafie is scheduled to hold a press conference at 10 am today at the State Government Administrative Centre here.

Musa, at his press conference, had stated that he would be having an audience with Tun Juhar soon to hand over statutory declarations from the assemblymen who are are backing him.

— BERNAMA