PROMOTING PEACE THROUGH KAAMATAN

HARVESTING..... Huguan Siou Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan symbolically harvesting the paddy with Kota Kinabalu City Hall Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir, Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs Datuk Jainab Ayid, and Datuk Edward Yong Ooi Fah, Assistant Minister to Minister of Local Government and Housing.

By : OLIVER M

DEPUTY Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is also the Huguan Siou or Paramount Leader of the Native KadazanDusun, call upon the people of Sabah to be united.

He said this year's Kaamatan theme 'Sustaining goodwill and understanding through Kaamatan' is timely in view of the country’s recently concluded 13th General Election. He says the time has come for all Malaysians to be united regardless of race and religion.

"The nation needs to be united to ensure the country continues to enjoy peace and prosperity. Although we may have differences of opinions, what is important is that we as a multiracial country should be united and patriotic for the sake of the country’s future," Pairin said this during the launch of DBKK Harvest Festival carnival at Lintasan Deasoka, Kota Kinabalu.

He added the success of the government led initiatives such as the National Transformation programmes, NKRAs and many others hinges on the support of the people as ultimately these programmes will bring benefits to everyone in the country.

Pairin congratulated Kota Kinabalu City Hall for its efforts in organizing the carnival that attracts not only the locals but also tourists, and is one of the state’s tourism attractions.

Pairin however said that what is more important is that such carnival helps the community to appreciate the rich diversity of cultures and traditions that the state has.

Pairin also expressed his concern that the current generation may not fully appreciate the importance of upholding the local cultures and traditions.

In the Kadazandusun context, he hoped that the Harvest Festival celebration will continue to be practised, celebrated and cherished by future generations.

Pairin commended the Kota Kinabalu City Hall for organizing various community based activities such as the Harvest Festival carnival, Chinese New Year carnival, and Christmas carnivals as well as promoting cleanliness campaigns.

He also disclosed that the government has increased the allocation for Kota Kinabalu City Hall from RM17 million in 2012 to RM19 million this year.

He said the allocations are for DBKK to implement various development projects as well as for maintenance work such as landscaping, road, and drainage works.

According to Mayor Abidin Madingkir, the Kota Kinabalu City Hall Harvest Festival Carnival started in 2007 with the objective of encouraging city folks to join in the festive celebration that had been mainly celebrated in the rural areas.

It is also part of the city’s tourism activities to encourage more tourists to visit the city in the month of May in conjunction with the Harvest Festival celebration.

This year carnival is held for three days from May 16 to 18. The highlights of the 3 day long carnival will see the Sugandoi (singing) competition and the Unduk Ngadau (Beauty Pageant) contestants vying for the top 4 places to represent the district of Kota Kinabalu, Likas, Tanjung Aru and Inanam in the State level grand final on May 30 - 31 at KDCA, Penampang.  

There are also stores set up along Gaya Street selling a variety of goods, food and drinks from 6 to 11 pm.

Pairin beat the gong seven times to launch the carnival and symbolically harvesting the paddy together with Kota Kinabalu City Hall Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir, Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs Datuk Jainab Ayid, and Datuk Edward Yong Ooi Fah, the assemblyman for Tanjung Aru.

Also present during the function were Indonesian Consul General to Sabah Soepeno Sahid, the Mayor of Ipoh City Hall Datuk Roshidi Hassan, former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, Director General of Kota Kinabalu City Hall Datuk Yeo Boon Hai, and Deputy Director General of Operation of Kota Kinabalu City Hall Joannes Solidau.  (Insight Sabah)