Ewon proposes maintaining the same concept for Sabah State Christmas celebrations in 2026

20 December 2025

KOTA KINABALU: The concept of the Sabah State-level Christmas celebrations in 2026 should be retained, following the same organisational approach as this year, through collaboration between the State Government, Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and the Sabah Council of Churches (SCC).

Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick who is also Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport said that this year’s State-level Christmas celebration not only marked a new chapter in official government organisation, but also manifested Sabah’s commitment to guaranteeing freedom of religion as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

“I will propose to the Chief Minister and the Sabah Cabinet that we continue to maintain the same concept of the State-level Christmas celebrations next year."

“The Sabah Government has elevated the Christmas celebrations, which for the past 19 years were organised by the Sabah Council of Churches in collaboration with DBKK, into an official State-level celebration."

“This is a manifestation of the constitutional guarantee and the conditions of the formation of Malaysia, which respect the rights of the people to practise their respective religions,” he said.

He made these remarks when speaking to reporters after the official closing ceremony of the Sabah State-level Christmas celebrations at Padang Merdeka here yesterday.

The ceremony was officiated by Deputy Chief Minister I, who is also Sabah’s Minister of Works and Utilities, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam, representing the Chief Minister of Sabah.

Ewon, who is also the Organising Chairman of the celebration, expressed hope that the event would continue to serve as a platform to strengthen unity and harmony among the state’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious community.

“We live in a plural society, with Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and followers of other religions. If not us, who else will safeguard this harmony?

“With mutual respect, tolerance and togetherness, I am confident that we can preserve peace in this state,” he said.

Ewon also expressed confidence that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the state government would continue to steer Sabah towards a better future founded on unity and harmony among its people.

He also recorded his appreciation to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport of Sabah, Datuk Thomas Logijin, DBKK and the SCC as the implementing committee, as well as all those involved in ensuring the success of the celebration.

“I also thank the thousands of Sabahans who attended, from the opening of the celebrations on 16 December until its closing tonight,” he said.