KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman gave two thumbs up for a RM100,000 grant and larger land acquisition for the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Cultural Village here yesterday.

Musa was responding to two separate requests made earlier by Deputy Chief Minister and Huguon Siou Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan as well as Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili at the Traditional Sports, Agricultural Product and Cultural Tools Exhibition launch here.

The move, he said, symbolises the state government’s concern and efforts in safeguarding the harmonious camaraderie that has long existed among the people of various ethnicity, religion, and culture here.

“I have listened closely to Datuk Dr Max’s request for the RM100,000 fund for Kadazandusun and Murut (KDM) culture and all of us. I am pleased to approve the application.

“Secondly, regarding the rather heavy request made by Tan Sri Pairin, if there is a suitable location to relocate the KDCA, I would not hesitate to approve it.

“This move is not simply decided only for the KDM, much like the USDA’s (United Sabah Dusun Association) request, as I feel the provision will allow, to some extent, the freedom to demonstrate and conduct celebrations for all rakyat,” Musa announced.

Pairin, who is also state-level 2015 Kaamatan Celebration chairman, said the enormity of the public’s response to the state-level Kaamatan celebration has grown larger than the capacity of the KDCA each passing year.

Therefore, he said, this calls for the KDCA to source for a new location to hold and provide more activities as a platform to encourage the spirit of unity amongst Sabahans.

For the time being, the RM100,000 grant will be used for maintenance and repairs to the KDCA to ensure the preservation and safety measures of its unique facilities, said Ongkili, who is also state-level 2015 Kaamatan Celebration Main Implementation and Coordination Committee (MICC) chairman as well as KDCA deputy president.

According to Ongkili, the state government has allocated RM500,000 to execute the state-level Kaamatan celebrations this year and a separate RM46,000 allocation to repair the dwindling “Langsaran” in the Murut traditional house at the KDCA.

RM500,000 was also acquired from the central government for the two-day festival this year, he added.

The exhibition showcased the state’s agricultural transformation and development over the years, which has contributed to the main economy of the state, Ongkili said.

Meanwhile, domestic and international visitors will have a chance to participate in traditional sports such as the Mipulos (arm wrestling), Monumpok (blowpipe) and Momolositik (slingshot) exhibited throughout the two-day festival.

Also present during the launch were participants of the 33rd Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) held from May 25 to 30 here.

(Sources from Borneo Post Online, May 31, 2015, Sunday)