Kota Kinabalu: The celebration for newly appointed Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman will only take place in June, said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
Joachim, who is also the chairman of the main committee for the official birthday celebration of the Sabah Governor, said the celebration would not last for three months, as reported.
“Instead, the seven planned events will be held within one month only, in June 2025.
“This is based on the decision of the Sabah Cabinet that this year’s official celebration programme will take place on June 21, 2025,” he said in a statement.
Joachim said that, in accordance with the Sabah government gazette, the new official birthday of the governor falls on Musa’s actual birthday, March 30.
Following the new date, he also said the celebration would continue until June 21 and would include a Tahlil prayer, a special prayer, and a thanksgiving prayer; Sabah Ethnic Day; a tea reception with special needs children and orphans; a parade ceremony; a state awards and honours investiture ceremony; and the state banquet.
Parti Warisan deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking responded that a three-month celebration would be a waste of public funds, especially when Sabah has the highest poverty rate in the country.
“For information, the number of events has been reduced from 12 in 2024 to only seven this year. All seven events organised are customary events held in conjunction with the official birthday of His Excellency, similar to previous years.
“The expenditure allocation has also been reduced by 30 per cent compared to 2024. I hope this clarification is clear and that these events are not misunderstood.”
Musa, who was the longest-serving Chief Minister of Sabah for 15 years, was appointed as the 11th State Governor on Jan 1.
Meanwhile, 17 specially crafted cakes were presented to Musa and his wife during the 2025 Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration at the Istana Seri Kinabalu, here.
The couple, who arrived at 10.30am at Dewan Seri Kinabalu, were treated to an impressive display of confectionery art donated by leading hotels across Sabah.
The centrepiece was Shangri-La Tanjung Aru’s nostalgic Rumah Kampung moist chocolate cake, meticulously created by Executive Chef Rohizan Ramly and his five-member team to evoke traditional Raya memories.
Other notable creations included Sabah International Convention Centre’s Ramadan-themed masterpiece, Sutera Harbour Resort and Spa’s Istana Syawal inspired eastern palace design.
All cakes would be donated to orphanages, welfare organisations and persons with disabilities around Kota Kinabalu.
