KAAMATAN FESTIVAL ENHANCES UNITY IN SABAH, SAYS CM

PENAMPANG: The Kaamatan Festival is Sabah’s best example of a harmonious racial melting pot and should be celebrated by everyone regardless of their political affiliations.

Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said the festival reflected the kinship, friendship, camaraderie and unity that have been prevalent in the state.

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“We will always support such cultural programmes because we believe that these programmes strengthen unity and that unity has been the foundation for peace in the state. It is also an opportunity for us to know, understand and respect each other’s cultures.

“I urge everyone to appreciate the important message behind this festival as it reminds us that deep understanding, strong friendship and unity strengthen peace in Sabah which is known for being multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural, making Sabah the best example of the 1Malaysia slogan,” he said in his speech at the 2016 state-level Kaamatan Festival closing ceremony at the KDCA Hongkod Koisaan here yesterday.

Musa also called on the people to always support the government for the sake of the state’s prosperity and development.

His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan who is also president of the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA).

The closing ceremony for the state-level Kaamatan was officiated by Head of State, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin yesterday. More than 40,000 people turned up yesterday for the event, which was more than on Monday when an estimated 25,000 people came.

Also present were Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Seri Madius Tangau, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup as well as state Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun and KDCA Deputy President, Datuk Seri Clarence Bongkos Malakun who is also the 2016 Kaamatan Festival Main Implementation and Coordination Committee chairman.

(Source: New Sabah Times, 1st June, 2016)

 




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