KUALA LUMPUR — Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal has defended certain party leaders from accusations by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who claimed they were politicising the Istana Negeri over the state governor’s birthday celebrations.
“That accusation is unfair and misleading, especially coming from the state’s top leader. It shows that the Chief Minister has missed the real issue,” Shafie said in a statement today.
He said the Warisan leaders – deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking and information chief Datuk Azis Jamman – had not insulted or attacked the Istana but merely questioned the timing and necessity of public spending on state celebrations amid economic struggles faced by many Sabahans.
“This is not an attack on the Istana. It is a legitimate question about whether public funds are being spent in the best interest of the people. Is it wrong to ask if that money could be better used for the people?” Shafie added.
Darell and Azis recently came under fire from Hajiji after they expressed their concerns regarding the governor’s birthday celebrations, which media had report as lasting thee months.
According to Darell, the use of public funds for such an extended event was unacceptable.
“Personally, if the costs of celebrating the Sabah Governor’s birthday were covered by private funds rather than tax revenue labeled as government funds, there would be no issue.
“But celebrating for three months using money sourced from taxpayers or Sabah’s natural resources is a concern,” Darell had written in a Facebook post.
His statement quickly gained traction on social media, receiving widespread attention and numerous shares.
Shafie in his statement today underscored the importance of responsible financial management, particularly in times of economic hardship, asserting that “every ringgit must be justified.”
He said in a democracy, questioning government expenditure is not only permissible but essential for transparency and accountability.
“When families are tightening their belts, the government should do the same. Good leadership means making tough choices and putting people first instead of holding ceremonies just for show.”
Highlighting pressing issues such as rising food prices, unemployment, floods, poor infrastructure and inadequate basic services, Shafie called on the state leadership to prioritise the real needs of Sabahans.
Warisan, he affirmed, remains committed to responsible governance and transparency. He noted that while the government frequently speaks of fiscal prudence, such principles often seem ignored when it comes to official events.
“Darell and Azis have both been in government. They know how these events work. Their questions were not personal or disrespectful but were part of a healthy democracy,” he said.
Shafie also criticised any attempt to dismiss legitimate inquiries as misinformation, warning that branding every opposition question as a lie signals insecurity rather than leadership.
“We call on the Chief Minister to focus on what truly matters such as creating jobs, repairing roads, improving schools and hospitals, and easing the burden of everyday Sabahans,” he said.
Darell and Aziz had earlier raised their criticisms after Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joachim Gunsalam announced that there would be a series of events for the governor’s birthday from the end of March to June.
However, Joachim was reported saying on March 27 that there would only be seven events instead, and all of them would be held in June. – March 30, 2025