Warisan deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking has criticised the Sabah government’s proposal to hold a three-month celebration for the Head of State’s birthday, warning that public funds must not be misused for lengthy festivities.

Leiking took to social media to express concern over the proposal reportedly made by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, saying such celebrations should not come at the people’s expense.

“At first, I thought maybe Dr Joachim was misquoted. But turns out, this news is real.

“Personally, if the cost of celebrating the Sabah Head of State’s birthday comes from private funds and NOT from tax collections—which are essentially government money—then there’s no issue.

“But celebrating for three months and using money that comes from taxes paid by the people or from Sabah’s natural resources? Then there’s definitely an issue,” he wrote in his Facebook on Thursday.

Leiking said the state should prioritise urgent needs instead of prolonged celebrations.

“Please lah, don’t use taxpayers’ or government money for events that are unnecessarily long. Isn’t there already a single-day celebration and a public holiday for it?

“No need to get angry at me just because I might be one of the two or five people who disagree with using taxpayer money or revenue from Sabah’s resources for such an unnecessarily long celebration—when the government should be focusing on their failed repairs and shortcomings!

“Somehow, I have a funny feeling that even the TYT may not like this crazy proposal by his own government—to celebrate for three months—because it’s unheard of to use the people’s money like this, right?” he added.

Leiking ended his statement by wishing the Head of State a happy birthday. – March 27, 2025