Sabah DAP wants Malaysia Day celebration cancelled, here’s why

Sabah DAP has called for the cancellation of Malaysia Day celebration, scheduled for tomorrow, in light of the severe floods and landslides that have affected Sabah.

The natural disasters have also contributed to the widespread breakdown of power and water supply.

“This is not the time for celebration. It is the time for mobilisation,” said Sabah DAP chairman Phoong Jin Zhe.

“The people of Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, and the East Coast are in dire need of shelter, food, clean water, medical assistance, and immediate restoration of basic utilities.

“Malaysia Day must be commemorated through service and solidarity, not festivity,” he added.

Phoong pointed out that major celebrations have been cancelled in the past.

“Kuala Lumpur once cancelled Merdeka celebrations in respect of victims of a tragic sinkhole incident in 2024, while Selangor previously called off Aidiladha celebrations following the devastating blaze in Putra Heights this year.

Sabah DAP also called for both state and federal agencies to be mobilised in in assisting the affected families.

“Additional allocation of resources, deployment of personnel, and fast-tracked emergency support are urgently required to minimise further hardship,” he said.

Malaysia Day is celebrated to commemorate the unification of Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsula Malaysia in 1963.

In a related development Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor announced that Sabah is cancelling its Malaysia Day celebration.