The Kaamatan Festival is a cultural celebration that honours ancestral heritage, not a drinking fest as claimed by some, said Sugut Assemblyman and KDCA Vice President Datuk James Ratib.
Speaking at the Sandakan-level Kaamatan celebration today, he stressed the festival’s role in promoting tradition, unity, and youth awareness of heritage.
He called on youth to stay rooted in tradition and urged greater participation from government-linked companies in supporting Kaamatan events across Sabah.
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');});Separately, James announced the Sandakan Duchess of Kent Hospital will receive six new dialysis machines, part of 100 units donated to state hospitals.
He also revealed RM400 million has been allocated under the 13th Malaysia Plan to upgrade HDOK, with RM400,000 already disbursed for initial works.
He urged the federal government not to freeze rural doctors’ regional allowances, warning it could deter doctors from serving outside urban areas.
On politics, James said harmony is key in the PH-BN coalition ahead of the next state election and stressed the need for any winning party to prioritize development for Sabah.
