Kota Kinabalu: The Kadazan Society Sabah (KSS) accused the Momogun National Congress (MNC), Monday, as portraying themselves as having the last say on determining the generic identity of all the indigenous ethnics as Momogun.
It described Momogun as nothing more than an “artificial collective tag” unlike Kadazan which has long been an established identity and that there should be no attempt to tamper with this.
“We are surprised that even unspecified non-governmental organisations and cooperatives are dragged in to throw support to their objective.
“Are they the stakeholders of our race?” asked KSS Deputy President Datuk Albert F Tokuzip in a statement, Monday.
SPONSORED CONTENT 800 expected at Sabah CEO Master Class 2024 on August 8 Kota Kinabalu: Wish to know and learn meaningful lessons and entrepreneurial journeys from giant business owners who also faced various hard challenges and succeeded in overcoming them? . Read more His remarks was in response to MNC President Tan Sri Wences Anggang’s recent announcement regarding the inclusion of various ethnic groups under the Momogun identity.
The MNC is scheduled to bring together representatives from numerous ethnic organisations, associations, NGOs and cooperatives to support their objective of establishing “Momogun” as a collective identity for indigenous groups at their “Konvensyen Perdana Momogun 2024” on Aug. 1.
Albert said the Kadazan identity is ancient and deeply rooted in their cultural and spiritual traditions.
He referenced the Bobohizan prayers, which highlight the creation of different ethnic groups, including the Kadazan, by the deity Kinoingan (God).
“Our race did not emerge as a human invention, and we do not wish to see our identity altered or rebranded. We firmly uphold our Kadazan identity, and no external entity has the right to tamper with it,” Albert said.
He said the Kadazan Association was established in Seria, Brunei, in 1948, followed by the Kadazan Association Labuan in 1952 and the Society of Kadazans in Penampang, North Borneo (now Sabah) in 1953.
“The Kadazan language was prominently used in Radio Sabah, established in 1953, and during the Proclamation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963, in Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu).
“Kadazan leader Donald Stephens, later Tun Mohd Fuad Stephens played a crucial role in the formation of Malaysia by signing the Malaysia Agreement (MA63) in London on July 9, 1963,” he said.
He said KSS remains inclusive, acknowledging intermarriages with various ethnicities, races and nationalities.
However, the Society has consistently rejected the term “Momogun” as a generic name for the Kadazan people.
KSS reiterated its position in a statement published in the Daily Express on June 14, 2024.
“KSS will remain dedicated to preserving, maintaining and upholding the dignity of the Kadazan race as an indigenous ethnic group in Sabah.
“Our identity is clearly defined as Kadazan in our Constitution, Clause 3: 3.1. Failing to uphold this duty, the Kadazan race risks disappearing. Future generations would be left helpless, cursing those responsible for such a fate,” Albert said.
KSS called for respect towards their established identity and cautions against efforts to impose an artificial collective tag, stressing the importance of preserving their rich heritage for future generations.
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