“Did the education ministry forget that the Kaamatan festival falls on May 30 and 31, while the Gawai festival is celebrated on June 1?” he asked in a statement today.

Kitingan, who is also Sabah deputy chief minister, asked why those in charge had failed to consider the sentiments of Sabahans and Sarawakian when setting the upcoming school calendar.

Citing the document, which sets the first term break from June 4 until June 12, he said the move had “infuriated” east Malaysians who deemed it insensitive.

He added that many who lived in the peninsula were now at risk of not being able to make their annual trips to celebrate the two significant holidays.

He said the state government would also be bringing the matter up with the education ministry to discuss a solution.