Communities urged to preserve cultural heritage
Published on: Tue, May 13, 2025 Text Size: Joachim launching the event. TONGOD: Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr. Joachim Gunsalam has called on Sabah's diverse ethnic communities to take greater initiative in preserving and promoting their cultural identities as a means to strengthen unity and harmony in the state. Speaking at the Tongod District-level Kaamatan Festival 2025 in Kampung Entilibon on Saturday, Joachim emphasized the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage amid modernization and globalization. 'Every ethnic and sub-ethnic group in the state should take pride in their inherited cultural identities and work harder to showcase their uniqueness,' he said. 'We must preserve the rich traditions of the Kadazan, Dusun, Murut, and Rungus (KDMR) communities, including traditional attire, music, and customs, and ensure they are passed down to future generations.' Joachim, who also serves as the Minister of Local Government and Housing, highlighted the Kaamatan festival as a vital platform for fostering unity among Sabah's multiracial communities and showcasing the state's cultural diversity. He also stressed the role of harmonious interethnic relations in maintaining national stability. 'Collaboration and mutual respect among people of different backgrounds are the foundation of stability, peace, and progress in Sabah,' he said. The Deputy Chief Minister expressed appreciation to Kuamut State Assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah, Tongod District Officer Yuesri Ismail Yusof, and the organizing committee for their efforts in hosting the three-day celebration, which began on May 7. The festival featured cultural performances, handicraft exhibitions, and the district-level Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant. Joachim also noted the economic benefits of the Kaamatan celebration at the district level and reiterated the government's commitment to statewide development, including in rural districts such as Tongod. 'Give the current government a chance. Over the past five years under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), the state's revenue has grown, reaching nearly RM7 billion in 2023 and 2024. These funds have been channeled back to the people through various forms of assistance,' he said. He encouraged communities to celebrate Kaamatan at every level — in villages, schools, and organizations — in line with this year's theme, 'Kaamatan for All,' which he described as fitting for Sabah's peaceful and diverse society. Meanwhile, Tongod District Officer Yuesri thanked Joachim for officiating the event and acknowledged the Ministry of Local Government and Housing's support in upgrading the Entilibon hall, which improved the venue for community events. In a separate event, Joachim, accompanied by his Political Secretary and Telupid Assemblyman Datuk Jonneybone Kurum, also officiated the Kaamatan celebration for the Pekan Subdistrict in Kg. Bauto, Telupid. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Sabah yet to implement rent-to-own policy for PPR housing
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has yet to adopt a rent-to-own policy for People's Housing Project (PPR) units in the state. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam said implementing such a policy is difficult due to the high number of residents waiting to rent these homes. He said if the policy were to be implemented, it would affect the chances of other residents who are also waiting to rent, as the number of units is limited. "Our current policy is strictly rental. It is up to the tenants to eventually obtain their own homes, be it low-cost housing, affordable homes or others. "This (PPR) is just temporary. If we were to implement rent-to-own, the problem is that more people are waiting to rent the units. So, our current policy is rental only," he said in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Lamag) during the Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting here today. Bung Moktar had asked what steps the state government is taking to address the issue of residents unable to own homes due to the high property prices in Sabah. He said expensive housing makes it difficult for low-income residents to purchase homes, forcing many to continue renting PPR units without any opportunity to own them via a rent-to-own scheme. Dr Joachim, who is also Sabah local government and housing minister, said the federal government provides PPR homes in Sabah solely for rental purposes, with no decision yet made to convert them into rent-to-own units. "Perhaps the honourable member for Lamag (Bung Moktar) could raise the matter again in Parliament," he told the Kinabatangan MP. Earlier, in response to the original question from Datuk Junz Wong (Warisan-Tanjung Aru) regarding residents of the Tanjung Aru Flats who were ordered to vacate due to the unsafe condition of the building, Dr Joachim said 237 out of 315 tenants had been offered placement in PPR units. "The ministry, through the implementing agency Lembaga Pembangunan Perumahan dan Bandar (LPPB), has offered PPR housing to all 237 eligible tenants out of the original 315. "A total of 58 were not offered PPR units as they did not meet the criteria under the Low-Cost Housing Allocation Policy, and 20 others already own a home registered under their name. "Out of the 237 eligible tenants, 113 have accepted the offer and been given PPR homes — 23 in Taman Jaya Diri, 30 in Taman Bukit Setia, 25 in Taman Puri Warisan, five in Taman Sri Anak, 23 in PPR Kibabaig Penampang, two in PPT Gayang 2 Tuaran, two in Taman Keramat Putatan, and three in Taman Serigai Putatan." He added that 124 tenants declined the offer due to the location being far from their workplaces, children's schools or hospitals.
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
High prices in Sabah make home ownership tough, Bung tells state assembly
KOTA KINABALU: The soaring cost of homes in Sabah, higher than in other states in Malaysia, is making it increasingly difficult for many locals to own property, the state assembly heard. Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Lamag) said the situation has left many civil servants and citizens frustrated. 'Are we aware that affordable housing is severely lacking in Sabah?" he said during question time on Monday (July 7). "Property prices here are among the highest in the country. "This needs to be reviewed by the (state Local Government and Housing) Ministry." ALSO READ: Some tenants of Tg Aru flats said no to relocation offers, Sabah assembly told He said rising public complaints reflected the seriousness of the situation, especially among the lower- and middle-income groups. In a supplementary question to Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, he also highlighted the overwhelming demand for units under the People's Housing Project (PPR). "These homes should ideally be rented for a short period, say three years, before the occupants transition to owning their own homes. 'Does the government have any mechanism or long-term plan for this? Many have been renting for years with no opportunity to own," he said, proposing that the model be changed to a rent-to-own mechanism. To this, Dr Gunsalam replied that the current policy only allows PPR rentals as a temporary relief measure and any changes must come from Putrajaya, as the project is under the Federal Government's jurisdiction.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Borneo Post
Call for STAR to exit GRS gains ground amid rising grassroots support
Richard Libun Adou KOTA KINABALU (July 6): The idea of Parti Solidariti Tanahairku (STAR) withdrawing from the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition is no longer just speculative — it is gaining substantial support among the grassroots, said a political observer. Richard Libun Adou, former vice president of Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA), stated that many now feel that STAR stands at a critical political crossroads. 'The time has come, they believe, for the party to explore a bold, independent path forward — one that stays true to its founding principles and better reflects the hopes of the rakyat,' he said in a statement on Sunday. Richard said Datuk Raymond Tombung's insightful article titled 'Should STAR Leave GRS?', published in The Borneo Post on Saturday, eloquently outlined key strategic concerns: The growing perception of marginalisation within the coalition, misalignment on key policy directions, especially on issues such as MA63 and local autonomy, the increasing grassroots sentiment behind 'Sabah for Sabahans', and the urgency of political clarity before PRN17 (17th state election), to avoid being caught unprepared in a shifting landscape. 'As someone who believes in STAR's potential, I echo the call for the President and Supreme Council of STAR to take this reflection seriously and act decisively. The voice of the grassroots must not be ignored. The longer the hesitation, the greater the risk of losing momentum — and perhaps, relevance,' he added. Recently, Jeffrey dismissed concerns over a viral video clip suggesting his party might leave the GRS coalition, stating the footage was taken out of context. The Deputy Chief Minister I clarified that the clip, which appeared to show him saying STAR would exit GRS if the coalition were pressured to collaborate with Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH), was part of a broader discussion during STAR's recent anniversary event.
