Kota Kinabalu: The proposal to include Kadazandusun and Murut language programmes on television has drawn positive feedback. .... Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) President Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan in response to the proposal, said that airing more KD programmes over TV would enhance Malaysia'a image as a highly tolerant multi-racial nation. He said it was up to the RTM to consider the proposal and also to forward it to the Ministry of Information. Source: Daily Express, 15th June 2004 Consumers Association of Sabah and Labuan (Cash) president Patrick Sindu said having such programmes on Malaysian TV would only enhance the KD communities' image. "It's high time that the people are presented with more choice in terms of TV programmes in various languages apart from Bahasa Melayu, Chinese, English and Tamil," he said on Thursday. "Inevitably, the KD communities would benefit from the move if TV programmes in KD languages are included in such broadcasts. "It would also give opportunity for talents to be pooled from the KDM communities as well as give their cultures exposure," he said. Patrick said in other countries, ethnic groups were given huge emphasis and focus. A reader in Daily Express Forum suggested that it was time for more effort to be made to promote the growth and use of the Kadazandusun-Murut languages apart from teaching them in primary schools. He said also said consideration should be given to having Kadazandusun language programmes on TV and reviving the TV Sabah channel. He said the government used to broadcast TV Sabah back then, which included segments of the Kadazandusun language but it was stopped. Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) President Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan in response to the proposal, said that airing more KDM programmes over TV would enhance Malaysia'a image as a highly tolerant multi-racial nation. He said it was up to the RTM to consider the proposal and also to forward it to the Ministry of Information. Local telemovie producer Onn Ariffin meanwhile said including KDM programmes in TV broadcasts would give rise to more variety not only in programmes but also in the context of culture. "We have foreign soap-operas shows in Tagalog, Spanish and Latin ... adding our own brand of ethnic language programmes would only enrich our TV broadcasting. "In other words, having our own ethnic movies or telemovies would balance the broadcasting contents," he said. Onn, who produced the telemovie "Proton Saga Kelabu" last year, said Sabah was not short of talented actors and actresses, adding that it was only a matter of exposing and training them to discover their true potential. The writer for Pangazou: Epik Pengembaraan Bihangan dan Somboi novel Datuk Herman J. Luping, meanwhile, said that in proposing KD programmes to be included in national broadcasts "we must be careful not to be seen as narrow-minded." "I totally agree with the Huguan Siou's (Pairin) view on this matter because it would only enhance the public perception on Malaysia being a multi-racial community. "Everything that has to do with improving our community is welcomed," he said. However, he said the proposal should also include not only KDM languages but other languages too such as Bajau, Dayak and Brunei, among others. Commenting on the TV Sabah channel revival proposal, Herman said it should not be misconstrued as an attempt to divide East and West Malaysian TV programmes. "Sometimes it is good to have regional news just like what they have in Britain where they have the BBC and regional channel solely meant for certain parts of the country only," he said. He said the channel expense, however, must come from the Federal government funding. "The proposal should not be a cause for fear that it could disrupt national integration but rather it should be seen as a step in the right direction," he said. National TV programmes currently are only in four main languages namely, Bahasa Melayu, English, Chinese and Tamil.

Kopivosian! It is our great pleasure to invite you to the Koisaan's next home pot-luck gathering! Date : 30/10/2004 (Saturday) Time: 7pm onwards Venue: Residence of Ms Helen Paul (KDCAKV Vice Chairman) Address: 41 Jalan BU 2/3, BANDAR UTAMA, PJ (Near the One Utama, Bandar Utama) Should you need further direction, please call Ms Helen at 012-3772707. Members & new members are most welcome! MESSAGE FROM THE HOST: Pls bring anything you wish, food, wine, lihing.. for fun,karaoke. See you there & have fun! Sec/JJ