How Dare Party Warisan Sabah Politicise Governor’s Birthday

It is sad and upsetting that Party Warisan Sabah leaders have abused their positions to tarnish the Institution of the Istana Negeri.

In postings on their social media platforms, Datuk Darell Leiking and Datuk Azis Jamman, both of whom are respected leaders of PWS, have attacked the Head of State / Tuan Yang Terutama's official birthday celebrations. Their actions reek of bad intention and have tarnished their own reputation. Salute to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor to have quickly responded – on 28 March 2025 - to the issue of PWS’ dragging the Istana Negeri institution into its own selfish political gains and lies. "I am duty bound to protect and defend the institution of the Istana irrespective of who is the Governor. Dirty politics have clouded PWS’ judgement, failing to differentiate the fundamental differences between government-politics and the Istana,” Hajiji said.

"The institution of the Istana is apolitical and must not be dragged into PWS’s street politics of lies and deception." TYT Tun Musa Aman has actually declined any birthday celebrations for 2025 because the gazetted official birthday is 30 March each year, and for 2025, the date clashes with Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. Tun Musa Aman also does not want to burden the organising team because of time constraints. However, the State Cabinet has agreed to proceed with the celebration in compliance with conventions and traditions of the Istana. The Cabinet decided that the celebration will be in June 2025 and to be celebrated on a moderate scale to align with TYT Tun Musa’s wishes and advice. In view of the circumstances, the Cabinet has reduced the events from 12 to seven, effectively reducing the budget by 30 per cent. Darell and Azis should not have blindly attacked the Istana Institution because they have served in the government, and they are fully aware of the logistics and efforts and the honour to prepare for the TYT’s birthday.