Kota Kinabalu: Private companies and individuals interested to contribute to the upcoming Harvest Festival celebration are invited to write in to the organising committee for consideration.

Its Chairman, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, said it is important for the secretariat to choose the appropriate sponsors for the events both for the opening in Tambunan on May 1 and the closing in Penampang on May 30 and 31 as the festival is a State-level celebration.

"We all have the responsibility in promoting our State. Even the smallest contribution can be used to promote our culture and our land. This year, I am glad to say that we will have 35 special guests from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) who would be joining us on May 1.

"Since they come from different countries, it is therefore a great opportunity to show them our culture," he said.

Pairin also announced that the Charity Run scheduled for April 30 had exceeded its target of 500 participants with over 850 participants registered for the event.

"I am glad that people are participating in the event which would benefit a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that helps underprivileged children," he said, adding that the committee estimated more than 30,000 people will be participating in the month-long festival all over the State.

This year's theme, Peace and Unity Through Culture, is hoped to convey the message of the importance of culture in bringing about peace and unity to the world.

He also took the opportunity to urge the people of Tambunan, especially the youths, to continue to get involved in agricultural, tourism and manufacturing industries as well as take an active part in the Government's effort to turn Tambunan into the Interior's education hub.

(Source from Daily Express;?Saturday, March 14, 2015)

Kota Kinabalu: Contestants of this year's State-level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan competition has to emphasise on the origins of Kaamatan and its authenticity to win the crown.

The subject was brought up by the Chairlady of Sabah Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2015, Joanna Datuk Kitingan, during the briefing ceremony with district chairmen of the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan at GC Woolley Hall, State Museum, here, on Friday.

The 42 district chairmen, including from Klang Valley and Johor Baru, were briefed about the importance of the origins of Kaamatan that will be contested during the competition, especially the costumes worn by contestants.

Joanna said the originality of costumes were a priority for this year's theme as it is important for the new generations to know the history of Kaamatan brought by their ancestors.

"For this year, our concept is polite, classic, trendy, tidiness and stylish that showcases each districts' culture through their costumes," she said.

Each district's traditional costume will be judged in the preliminary round, Sodop Pintutunan, on May 27 and the final round, Sodop Unduk Ngadau, on May 29.

(Source from Daily Express;?Saturday, March 07, 2015)