KIMANIS POLLS | A Kadazan Dusun Murut leader has dismissed Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan's claim that a Christmas celebration held in Membakut yesterday was linked to the ongoing by-election campaigns.

The programme's organising committee chairperson Peter Chang in a statement denied links to Warisan, contrary to Mohamad's claim that the party had
breached election laws in hosting the function and offered lucky draw prizes.

He also explained that Warisan president Shafie Apdal was the day's guest of honour, in appreciation of the Sabah chief minister's move to announce an extra public holiday on Dec 26.

"The Christmas and New Year celebration in Membakut yesterday was not hosted by Warisan or NGO Kadazan Dusun Murut Malaysia (KDM), but by the local Christian community.

"All the costs and organisation of the function was borne solely by the local villagers and community leaders," said Chang, adding that Shafie (photo) was invited to attend in his capacity as state chief minister.

"The function was open for all to attend, including from opposition parties, and there were also Umno BN members present," he said.

Last night, Mohamad told reporters that he would personally instruct BN's operations centre to lodge a report over Warisan's alleged misconduct in supposedly hosting the function.

"This is clearly a breach of election laws. It is wrong because the by-election is ongoing in Kimanis, but maybe because they know no actions will be taken so these kinds of acts are rampant.

"For them, all of those acts are acceptable because they feel that they are above the law," claimed Mohamad when met on the campaign trail.

Chang further warned Umno BN leaders against insulting Sabahan's long culture of living in harmony and celebrating each other's festivities.

Contrary to Mohamad's claims, he said such functions in Sabah has always extended beyond political boundaries.

"Such celebrations have been a norm in Sabah without siding with any politicians... we, the locals in Membakut, as organisers of the function would like to inform Umno BN, do not insult us.

"We are Sabahans and we know what we want. It is best for Umno BN to focus on Kuala Lumpur rather than make wild allegations against us," he stressed.

Membakut is one of two state seats under the Kimanis parliamentary seat.

Kadazandusuns make up 28 percent of 29,664 registered voters in Kimanis, a predominantly Muslim bumiputera seat.

The by-election was called after the Federal Court on Dec 2 last year upheld an Election Court ruling that nullified Anifah Aman's 2018 victory for the Kimanis seat.