KUALA PENYU: The Kaamatan Festival serves as a platform to honour cultural heritage, strengthen unity among the multiracial community, and a catalyst to the existing unique cultural legacy of Sabah.
Deputy Chief Minister II, Datuk Seri Dr. Joachim Gunsalam, said Kaamatan has long proven to be a unifying force for the people of Sabah, who live in cultural, religious, and ethnic diversity, yet remain united in harmony and goodwill.
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');});He said the celebration should be fully embraced as an opportunity to strengthen community bonds while preserving and uplifting cultural heritage so it remains relevant in the face of modernisation.
“Kaamatan is not only about reviving the customs and traditions of our ancestors, but also serves as an important platform to boost the state’s tourism industry.
“The cultural uniqueness showcased throughout the festival has the potential to attract both domestic and international tourists, which in turn brings economic benefits to local communities,” he said.
Dr Joachim who is also the Deputy President of the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) said this in his speech when officiating the Kaamatan Festival for the Kuala Penyu District and the Menumbok Sub-District, held at Dewan Dato Syahbandar Makang here on Saturday.
He said the Kaamatan celebration at all levels, village, district, organisational, or state, should be seen as a strategic opportunity to promote local culture to the world.
According to him, the participation of people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds in Kaamatan each year proves that the unity of the Sabah people is a key strength and a foundation of the state’s stability and progress.
“The spirit of togetherness reflected in celebrations like this must be preserved to ensure continued harmony and development in our State,” he said.
Dr Joachim said the Government consistently supports cultural events that not only empower the identity of Sabahans but also contribute to national unity.
He also expressed his appreciation to Assistant Minister of Public Works and Kuala Penyu State Assemblyman, Datuk Limus Jury, as well as to the Kaamatan Festival Organising Committee, chaired by Nelson Domil Oluk, and to the entire local community for their efforts in ensuring that the Kaamatan Festival continues to be a symbol of pride for the people of Sabah, particularly here transcending racial and generational boundaries.
In the event, Dr. Joachim also officiated a symbolic handover of educational aid from the Datuk Limus Jury Education Foundation to five student representatives out of a total of 34 students who will be continuing their studies at a higher level.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Works, Datuk Limus Jury said the Kaamatan Festival is an excellent opportunity for the Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) community to showcase and develop their local culture, while also serving as a ritual of gratitude for the rice harvest.
In this regard, he called on all ethnic groups to come together to celebrate Kaamatan in the spirit of unity and prosperity for the state.
“The Kaamatan Festival is a symbol of the strength of the people of Sabah, who live in peace and mutual respect. It is not exclusive to the KDM community, but is celebrated by all ethnic groups and aligns with this year’s Kaamatan theme, Kaamatan for All,” he said.
Limus who is also Kuala Penyu assemblyman, said this in his speech during the 2025 Kuala Penyu District and Menumbok Sub-District Kaamatan Festival, held here on Saturday.
He added that the theme also aligns with the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development roadmap and the broader Malaysia Madani vision under the Unity Government.
Also present were Beaufort Member of Parliament cum Chairperson of RISDA Semaian dan Lanskap Sdn Bhd Datuk Siti Aminah Aching; Assistant District Officer of Menumbok Hasnita Noorzain; Kuala Penyu District Council Executive Officer John Genchit; Sabah Tatana Cultural Association (STCA) President Tan Sri Wences Angang; Patron of the Kuala Penyu Tourism Operators Association (PPPKP) Datuk John Ghani; and Beaufort Deputy District Police Chief, DSP Mail Sundongi, along with local leaders.
