RM13.66 million to safeguard Sabah's culture, arts
Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025
By: Lagatah Toyos Text Size: Musa (second left) officiating the launch of the event. TAWAU: The State Government has allocated RM13.66 million this year to safeguard Sabah's cultural and artistic heritage while boosting its tourism industry, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Speaking at the launch of the 10th Tawau International Cultural Festival (FKAT) at the Tawau Municipal Council Square on Saturday, Hajiji pointed out the government's commitment to enhancing cultural preservation efforts to strengthen the tourism sector. The festival, which featured the theme Cultural Diversity: Heroes, Handicrafts and Weddings, was officially opened by Head of State Tun Musa Aman, accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Faridah Tussin. The ceremony recalled memories of the 2014 edition when Musa served as Chief Minister. Hajiji is confident that the festival would impact local tourism and economic growth, noting that both domestic and international visitors contribute to the livelihoods of entrepreneurs, homestay operators, artists and small traders. 'This influx of tourists not only helps visitors discover our cultural treasures but also provides economic benefits to all those indirectly involved, contributing to local community economic growth,' said Hajiji who was represented by State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif. Hajiji noted the festival's role in educating younger generations about preserving ancestral cultural heritage. He also expressed optimism about the upcoming Tawau International Cultural Centre (TICC), scheduled for completion in December 2027, which will serve as a cultural hub showcasing diverse ethnic arts and heritage. This year's festival featured participants from Kazakhstan, Indonesia and the Philippines, reinforcing Tawau's position as a border city rich in cultural diplomacy and regional cooperation while promoting racial unity and cultural appreciation. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
Invite to Sabah Bajau Sama Cultural Fest
Published on: Tuesday, August 05, 2025 Published on: Tue, Aug 05, 2025 Text Size: Kassim, who is also the Sabah Bajau Sama Association Secretary-General, said the festival serves as a platform to strengthen unity among the diverse communities in the state. Kota Kinabalu: The public is invited to attend and enliven the four-day Sabah Bajau Sama Cultural Festival 2025 starting Thursday. Festival Organising Committee Chairman, Datuk Kassim Razali, said Head of State Tun Musa Aman would officiate the festival at 9.30am on Sunday. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor will also attend. 'I hope and warmly welcome the entire community of Sabah to attend and enliven the Sabah Bajau Sama Cultural Festival 2025, and to appreciate the customs and traditions that are a source of pride not only for the state of Sabah but also for Malaysia as a whole,' he said. Kassim, who is also the Sabah Bajau Sama Association Secretary-General, said the festival serves as a platform to strengthen unity among the diverse communities in the state. Various activities have been organised in this festival to provide opportunities for the public to understand and respect the diverse cultures present. 'Furthermore, it provides an opportunity for all of us to appreciate the beauty of other cultures and to understand the values of tolerance, mutual understanding, and unity through the cultural heritage left by our ancestors,' he said during an interview with Kupi-Kupi FM Monday. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
RM13.66 million to safeguard Sabah's culture, arts
Published on: Monday, August 04, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025 By: Lagatah Toyos Text Size: Musa (second left) officiating the launch of the event. TAWAU: The State Government has allocated RM13.66 million this year to safeguard Sabah's cultural and artistic heritage while boosting its tourism industry, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Speaking at the launch of the 10th Tawau International Cultural Festival (FKAT) at the Tawau Municipal Council Square on Saturday, Hajiji pointed out the government's commitment to enhancing cultural preservation efforts to strengthen the tourism sector. The festival, which featured the theme Cultural Diversity: Heroes, Handicrafts and Weddings, was officially opened by Head of State Tun Musa Aman, accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Faridah Tussin. The ceremony recalled memories of the 2014 edition when Musa served as Chief Minister. Hajiji is confident that the festival would impact local tourism and economic growth, noting that both domestic and international visitors contribute to the livelihoods of entrepreneurs, homestay operators, artists and small traders. 'This influx of tourists not only helps visitors discover our cultural treasures but also provides economic benefits to all those indirectly involved, contributing to local community economic growth,' said Hajiji who was represented by State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif. Hajiji noted the festival's role in educating younger generations about preserving ancestral cultural heritage. He also expressed optimism about the upcoming Tawau International Cultural Centre (TICC), scheduled for completion in December 2027, which will serve as a cultural hub showcasing diverse ethnic arts and heritage. This year's festival featured participants from Kazakhstan, Indonesia and the Philippines, reinforcing Tawau's position as a border city rich in cultural diplomacy and regional cooperation while promoting racial unity and cultural appreciation. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Daily Express
Sabah allocates RM13.66 mil to boost cultural heritage and tourism
Published on: Sunday, August 03, 2025 Published on: Sun, Aug 03, 2025 Text Size: Head of State Tun Musa Aman flanked by Datuk Ariffin Arif (left) and Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan (second right) at the opening of the FKAT KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has allocated RM13.66 million this year to preserve its cultural and arts heritage, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at the Tawau International Cultural Festival (FKAT). He said the State Government will continue to strengthen preservation efforts to boost tourism, with positive spillover effects for the local economy. Hajiji noted that festivals like FKAT benefit a wide range of people, including entrepreneurs, homestay operators, artists, and small traders. They also serve to educate the younger generation on the value of safeguarding the state's cultural treasures. He highlighted the RM27 million Tawau International Cultural Centre (TICC), scheduled for completion in December 2027, which will become a hub for arts and heritage. Once completed, it will elevate Tawau as a competitive international cultural centre. With the theme 'Cultural Diversity: Warriors, Handicrafts, and Marriage,' FKAT celebrates Sabah's multiracial society and serves as a platform for cultural exchange, featuring participants from Kazakhstan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Hajiji said the festival not only promotes cultural exhibitions but also strengthens unity, fosters respect for heritage, and enhances Tawau's role as a border town rich in cultural networks and regional cooperation. * Read full report in tomorrow's print paper or log in or sign up for e-paper and premium online news access. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
