Movement for Change Sarawak (MoCS) founding chairman Francis Paul Siah said Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal was using the public holiday declaration as a “feel good” factor among Sabah Christians ahead of the Kimanis by-election.

Describing the decision as “absurd” and “unnecessary”, he said there were already too many public holidays in this country.

“Even as a Christian, I do not support such a declaration of an additional public holiday over Christmas.

“There are already too many public holidays in this country and we can surely do without another one,” he told FMT.

Yesterday, Shafie had announced a two-day public holiday for Christmas on Dec 24 and 25.

He said the two-day Christmas holidays had been approved by the state Cabinet.

“I am not the chief minister for only the Muslims, but also to the Christians. They too voted for me in the 14th general election,” Shafie said.

Siah said Shafie had not declared Dec 24 as an additional public holiday last year.

“I doubt he will do so next year, unless there is a political motive to do so.

“I do not condone this abuse of power by the Sabah chief minister, even though it is just a matter of a public holiday,” he said.

Sabah is the second largest state in Malaysia with the most Christians, after Sarawak. Around a quarter of its 3.9 million population is Christian.