KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has criticised Parti Warisan for politicising the official birthday celebrations of Sabah’s Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
He accused Warisan of dragging the institution of Istana Negeri into its political agenda, calling the opposition party’s statements misleading and made in bad faith.
Hajiji specifically took aim at Warisan deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking and information chief Datuk Azis Jamman, stating that their social media remarks questioning Tun Musa Aman’s birthday celebrations "reek of bad intentions."
"As Chief Minister, I am duty-bound to protect and defend the Istana Negeri as an institution, regardless of who holds the position of Governor," he said.
"Clearly, politics has clouded their judgement, preventing them from distinguishing the fundamental differences between government, politics and the Istana."
The Istana Negeri is apolitical and should not be dragged into Warisan's "street politics of lies and deception," said Hajiji.
He clarified that Musa had initially suggested skipping this year’s celebrations since the official birthday, now gazetted on March 30, coincides with Hari Raya.
"In fact, Tun Musa also did not want to burden those involved in organising the celebrations as time was short and it would incur unnecessary costs.
"However, as Chief Minister, I believed the decision should be discussed in the state cabinet," Hajiji said, referring to the shift in the Governor’s birthday from October to March.
Hajiji said that after much deliberation, the cabinet agreed that the celebrations should proceed in line with Istana Negeri conventions and traditions.
"It was decided that a moderate celebration will take place in June, in line with Tun Musa's wishes and advice," Hajiji said.
He noted that the usual 12 events marking the occasion had been reduced to seven this year, cutting costs by about 30%.
This marks the first official birthday celebration for Musa since his appointment as the 11th Sabah Governor on Jan 1.
Hajiji also reminded Darell and Azis that, having previously been part of the government, they should understand the planning involved in the Yang di-Pertua Negeri’s birthday celebrations.
