Kota Kinabalu: Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) President Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan called for stronger unity among Malaysians while urging caution over the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Pairin expressed concern over the rapid advancement of technology, particularly AI, warning that the public must remain vigilant against the uncritical acceptance of AI-generated content and misinformation.
“AI can mislead us from what is true and right,” he said.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});“We must be cautious so that we don’t go astray.”
He referenced a viral AI-generated video that falsely depicted Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un dancing together, as an example of how easily false narratives can be created and spread.
He said while technology offers opportunities, it must not overshadow or distort reality, especially when it comes to preserving the culture and values of the community.
He said the Kaamatan Festival is more than a cultural celebration — a vital platform to promote national unity, friendship, and collective progress.
On the final day of the month-long Kaamatan Festival 2025, Pairin said, “Celebrations like this are a powerful platform to inspire our hopes that we, as Malaysians in Sabah, can truly unite and work together.”
He praised the spirit of cooperation shown by the people of Sabah and acknowledged the presence of delegates from Kalimantan and Sarawak, highlighting the cross-border ties that enrich the festival.
He also thanked local leaders and ministers who played key roles in ensuring the festival’s success.
Reflecting on the overall success of this year’s event, Pairin expressed pride in the participation of Sabah’s youth and students, who showcased confidence in performing and preserving their heritage.
“This year, we’ve seen real improvement in performances, audience engagement and the involvement of schools in cultural education,” he noted. “This is the result of consistent collaboration and passion.”
Pairin encouraged Malaysians to carry forward the festival’s spirit of unity and mutual respect.
“The strength of our friendship and the encouragement to move forward together —this is what will ensure our shared future,” he concluded.
The Kaamatan Festival, celebrated annually in Sabah throughout May, marks the end of the rice harvest and showcases the rich cultural traditions of the Kadazandusun community. It has become a unifying event not just for Sabahans, but for Malaysians and international visitors alike.
The closing was officiated by Head of State, Tun Musa Aman, who was joined by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in performing the mongomot (rice harvesting) ritual.
This was followed by striking the gong seven times, symbolically marking the end of the 2025 State-Level Kaamatan Festival at Hongkod Koisaan KDCA.
