Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has accused Warisan of dragging the Istana Negeri into its political narrative, calling out party leaders Datuk Darell Leiking and Datuk Azis Jamman for what he described as “bad intentions and falsehoods.”

Hajiji said the two leaders crossed the line by publicly questioning the upcoming official birthday celebration for the current Head of State, Tun Musa Aman.

“Their postings reek of bad intentions. As Chief Minister, I am duty-bound to protect and defend the institution of the Istana, regardless of who holds the office of Governor,” he said in a strongly worded statement from Kota Kinabalu on Friday,

Hajiji said politics had clearly clouded the judgement of both Leiking and Azis, who failed to recognise the difference between government, politics, and the role of the Istana.

“The institution of the Istana is apolitical and should not be dragged into Warisan’s street politics of lies and deception,” he added.

The Chief Minister explained that Tun Musa himself had initially proposed not holding the birthday celebration this year, as the gazetted date — March 30 — coincides with Hari Raya.

“In fact, Tun Musa did not want to burden those involved in organising the celebrations, especially with the short notice and the additional costs it would incur,” said Hajiji.

However, he said the matter was brought to the State Cabinet, which after deliberation, agreed that a celebration should still take place in accordance with Istana tradition — but in a more modest format.

The event has been pushed to June, with the number of official programmes reduced from 12 last year to seven, trimming the overall budget by about 30%.

Hajiji reminded both Leiking and Azis — as former members of government — that they should understand the protocols involved in preparing for the TYT’s official birthday and refrain from politicising it. — March 28, 2025