TAMBUNAN: Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan wants to make this year’s State-level Kaamatan Festival which will be held at Pisompuruan Square, here, on May 1 the greatest.
He said Tambunan is now ready to host the event by bringing the message of unity, progress and the struggle for the rights of the people of Sabah.
“As the host of the State-level Kaamatan Festival, I ask the people here to make this festival the greatest,” he said when officiating the Kaamatan Festival for Mukim Sunsuron level at Kampung Pantai, here.
According to him, the Kaamatan Sunsuron Mukim was brought forward to pave the way for Tambunan’s preparations.
He said the people of Tambunan can highlight their culture, handicrafts and village products as an attraction to the public, especially foreign tourists, that Tambunan has a unique cultural wealth.
“Bring anything – turongou fish, village chicken, or grasshoppers, for display and sell during the State-level Kaamatan,” he said.
Earlier, Kampung Pantai became a lively focus when the residents of Mukim Sunsuron gathered to celebrate the festival.
Jeffrey, who is also Tambunan Assemblyman, expressed appreciation to the organisers, especially the Chairman of Mukim Sunsuron Kaamatan Festival, Charles Palitoh, as well as all the mukim development committees for organising the event that was well received.
He also reminded that Kaamatan is not just a Harvest Festival but also a symbol of unity among Sabahans from various races and backgrounds.
“In Sabah, we all celebrate all festivals – Kaamatan, Hari Raya, Christmas and Chinese New Year – together without discrimination. This is our advantage, and this is our strength in demanding Sabah’s rights,” he said.
Jeffrey, State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister, also announced steps to increase paddy production in Tambunan through the use of new TR8 seeds which can double the yield from three tonnes to six tonnes per hectare.
“This move is part of the Rural Agriculture Revolution to ensure Sabah’s food security is guaranteed,” he said.
At the event, Jeffrey also announced a new project that the residents of Kampung Pantai have been eagerly awaiting – the construction of a multi-purpose hall to replace the village’s community hall which is getting smaller due to the increase in population.
“This will ensure more comfortable facilities for community activities. We want the residents to continue to be proactive in developing the village,” he said.
Jeffrey also touched on the importance of the struggle for the rights of the people of Sabah, especially regarding the 40pc state revenue claim that is still outstanding since Sabah joined Malaysia in 1963.
Sazzy Stacy Stanley was crowned as the Unduk Ngadau Mukim Sunsuron, while second and third places went to Chrisnatasha and Amyralda Willey, respectively.
Alson Jafrin emerged as the open Sugandoi Mukim Sunsuron champion, followed by Tracy Fred in second place and Aaron Jay Matimbun in third place.
Raider Gutang emerged as the champion in the Sugandoi Songkotoun Mukim Sunsuron competition, while Jeremy Muning Gipong and James Gutom came in second and third place respectively.
The Unduk Ngadau and Sugandoi winners will represent Mukim Sunsuron in the Tambunan district level competition.
