Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s cultural heritage is an invaluable treasure that must be preserved and passed down to future generations to ensure the identity of the state’s indigenous communities is not lost amid modernisation, said Sabah Bajau Samah Association Vice-President Datuk Japlin Akim.
He said rapid development and the digital revolution should not be reasons to neglect one’s roots.
He also reminded that advances in technology should not distance the younger generation from their cultural roots, customs and identity.
“We can pursue development and progress, but we must not lose our own identity because culture reflects who we are and where we come from.
“Young people must become the inheritors and guardians of culture, while technology should be used to introduce our heritage to the world,” he said.
Japlin was speaking after attending the opening of the Borneo Cultural & Heritage Corner held in conjunction with the Kota Kinabalu International Book Fair 2026 (PBAKK 2026) at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here, Friday.
The ceremony was officiated by Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) president and Huguan Siou Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.
Elaborating, Japlin said programmes such as the cultural and heritage corner served as important platforms to showcase the diversity of cultures and unique heritage treasures of Borneo’s communities.
“I urge everyone to take this seriously and provide support and encouragement for efforts to record and document these treasures more systematically for future generations.
“This is important because documentation ensures that traditional practices, arts and the values of our communities do not simply disappear,” he said.
Touching on his own ethnic community, Japlin said the Bajau Samah people also possessed a distinct identity rich in unique cultural heritage.
“The community has a valuable cultural heritage that must continue to be preserved and highlighted as part of Sabah’s rich identity.
