Sabah Cancels Malaysia Day Celebrations

The wet and stormy weather in Sabah over the past several days has impacted homes, lives and infrastructures. One of the most severely affected by the continuous heavy rains was the collapse and damage of a 275kV electricity tower at Kolopis–Megaloud, Penampang District, on 13 September 2025 which has caused major power outages in many parts of the area and in the east coast.

The storm and rains caused a landslide at Kampung Sarapung, Penampang, which brought down the tower and swept it. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Haji Noor called for an emergency meeting on 14 September 2025, attended, among others, by key personnel from Sabah Electricity (SE) who are already onsite to undertake restoration works to fix the power line. Hajiji said, on 15 September 2025, that the State Government has cancelled the state-level Malaysia Day celebrations slated on 16 September 2025 at Padang Merdeka, Kota Kinabalu, in view of the serious disaster crisis which have affected many districts in Sabah including floods and landslides. Hajiji said that he has briefed Head of State Tun Musa Aman about the cancellation of the celebration.

"Our immediate priority is to manage the crisis, to coordinate recovery efforts and to ensure timely rescue operations for affected communities. In these challenging times, we stand with our people, and we focus on their well-being, welfare, safety and security. We have directed our assets and resources to those affected,” Hajiji said.

The State Disaster Management Committee is on full alert and is prepared for prompt action. Hajiji urged the public to remain vigilant, to adhere to safety advisories, and to cooperate with rescue teams who have reached out to the communities.