Bajau learning centre mooted for heritage
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025
By: Kazalinah Kamaludin Text Size: Kota Kinabalu: State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew has proposed the establishment of a training centre to educate the public about the culture of the Bajau community in the state, including the history and celebration of the Regatta Lepa. She said education is a fundamental foundation for understanding culture, and such a centre could help ensure the continuity and preservation of Bajau cultural heritage. 'Through this training centre, not only members of the Bajau community but also the general public who are interested can learn more about Bajau culture, including skills such as building 'lepa' boats, performing the 'Igal-Igal' dance, preparing traditional dishes, and many other cultural elements that can be taught at the centre. 'Currently, this knowledge and these skills are passed down traditionally from parents to their children. 'However, we hope to establish a more systematic training centre, where the public, especially Bajau youths, can learn practical and applicable skills 'After completing their training at the centre, they too can go on to teach others,' she told reporters at a press conference held in conjunction with the 30th Regatta Lepa 2025 celebration at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here on Monday.
Advertisement Liew said she would bring the proposal to the ministry level for discussion. 'I hope this proposal will be thoroughly considered at the ministry level, along with the District Officer and the Sabah Cultural Board. 'It is time such a centre is set up for the Bajau community. It doesn't necessarily have to be in a single location, it can be set up in several areas, even on a small scale,' she said. Also present were Semporna District Officer Alexander Liew, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Muhammad Sufi Kaim, who represented the Ministry's Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai, Community Development Leader (PPM) for Sinallang Risdeh Sabardin, Sulabayan District Chief Abdul Majid Palah, and PPM for Sulabayan Datuk Hajan Gurimbang. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
12 hours ago
- Daily Express
Bajau learning centre mooted for heritage
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025 By: Kazalinah Kamaludin Text Size: Kota Kinabalu: State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew has proposed the establishment of a training centre to educate the public about the culture of the Bajau community in the state, including the history and celebration of the Regatta Lepa. She said education is a fundamental foundation for understanding culture, and such a centre could help ensure the continuity and preservation of Bajau cultural heritage. 'Through this training centre, not only members of the Bajau community but also the general public who are interested can learn more about Bajau culture, including skills such as building 'lepa' boats, performing the 'Igal-Igal' dance, preparing traditional dishes, and many other cultural elements that can be taught at the centre. 'Currently, this knowledge and these skills are passed down traditionally from parents to their children. 'However, we hope to establish a more systematic training centre, where the public, especially Bajau youths, can learn practical and applicable skills 'After completing their training at the centre, they too can go on to teach others,' she told reporters at a press conference held in conjunction with the 30th Regatta Lepa 2025 celebration at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here on Monday. Advertisement Liew said she would bring the proposal to the ministry level for discussion. 'I hope this proposal will be thoroughly considered at the ministry level, along with the District Officer and the Sabah Cultural Board. 'It is time such a centre is set up for the Bajau community. It doesn't necessarily have to be in a single location, it can be set up in several areas, even on a small scale,' she said. Also present were Semporna District Officer Alexander Liew, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Muhammad Sufi Kaim, who represented the Ministry's Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai, Community Development Leader (PPM) for Sinallang Risdeh Sabardin, Sulabayan District Chief Abdul Majid Palah, and PPM for Sulabayan Datuk Hajan Gurimbang. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
17 hours ago
- Daily Express
English project for three more Pitas schools: Rotary
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Launch of Project Real in three rural schools in Pitas through the joint efforts of RCKK Pearl, LDS Charities and the Sabah State Education Department. PITAS: The Rural Focused English for All (Project Real) has been extended to three more rural schools in Pitas – SK Rosob, SK Bangkau Bangkau and SK Bawing – through the efforts of the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl (RCKK Pearl). The initiative is a collaboration with the Sabah State Education Department and is sponsored by LDS Charities, the humanitarian arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Malaysia. The launch at SK Rosob expands Project Real to five schools in Pitas, from two in 2019 supported by the Australian High Commission in Malaysia. Senior Assistant Director of the Language Unit at the department, Nancy @ Aminah Idrus, welcomed the partnership with RCKK Pearl, saying that together they can help build confidence and improve the language skills of rural students. Elder Larry Hathaway of LDS Charities said improving English proficiency in rural communities opens doors to greater opportunities in education, careers and life. SK Bangkau Bangkau headmistress Ruhanah Omboyou expressed her appreciation to RCKK Pearl for bringing Project Real to her school. Advertisement She said students are excited to explore the English Corner, and teachers are eager to improve their own English proficiency. SK Rosob headmaster Saidi Alliudin said the programme has created a supportive environment that encourages pupils to speak, read and grow in English with confidence. At SK Bawing, headmaster Abd Khar @ Ramlie Akal described the project as a significant step towards nurturing a reading culture and laying the foundation for lifelong learning. RCKK Pearl Vice President Adelina Adna said the aim of the programme is to open doors not just to books but to possibilities. 'We are grateful to the department and LDS Charities for making this possible. With their support, we can continue planting seeds of learning where they are most needed,' she said. Each of the three schools received between 430 and 650 English books, along with English Malay dictionaries for every Primary 4 to 6 student, based on enrolment size. At SK Rosob, 650 books and 340 dictionaries were distributed for 331 pupils. SK Bangkau Bangkau received 520 books and 110 dictionaries for its 106 pupils. SK Bawing received 430 books and 60 dictionaries for its 56 pupils. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
18 hours ago
- Daily Express
10 years later, Beaufort bridge still uncompleted
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025 By: Ahmad Apong Text Size: A bridge that has never been completed. BEAUFORT: Residents are questioning why a bridge project that began nearly 10 years ago remains incomplete, with no signs of construction resuming. A resident Mohd Johawalia Kimsin expressed his frustration to Daily Express, noting that parts of the project have been left idle and now appear to be 'a white elephant.' Among the incomplete bridge structures are those along the route from the Limbawang bypass to Jalan Melalugus, stretching across Kampung Luagan and into the Padas Valley. Other abandoned bridge works that only span over roads can be seen in Kampung Bukau and Kampung Meraba, now standing more like monuments than infrastructure. 'When will these bridges be completed? They look like white elephants, and we haven't seen anyone working on them for years,' he said. He added that while pillars on both ends had been erected, there had been no visible effort to complete the structures, raising questions about the performance of the contractors whose work was not just slow but entirely stalled. Advertisement Compounding the issue is the deteriorating road condition in the area. Previously paved roads are now riddled with potholes and in some cases replaced with gravel, but even the new gravel roads have not been properly completed. 'Many road users are complaining about the damaged and potholed roads, which are difficult and dangerous to navigate 'Driving over uneven gravel surfaces and hitting potholes can be jarring and frustrating for motorists,' said Johawalia. He also voiced concerns that the bridges might never be completed even in the next five years, calling the situation an embarrassment, especially when compared to Sarawak's infrastructure development. 'The government must take action and reprimand contractors who are deliberately dragging their feet on these road and bridge projects,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
