19-05-2025
PM to officiate Kaamatan Festival
Jeffrey (fifth from right) presenting a souvenir to Tun Musa. -Information Department photo
KOTA KINABALU (May 19): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to attend the 2025 Sabah State-Level Kaamatan Festival Celebration on May 30.
Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan, who is also the chairman of the 2025 State-Level Kaamatan Festival Celebration Main Committee, stated that Anwar will officiate the festival on that day.
'Meanwhile, the official closing ceremony of the state-level Kaamatan Festival will be presided over by the Head of State, Tun Musa Aman, on May 31.
'The purpose of our visit to Tun Musa was to brief him on the closing ceremony of Kaamatan, as well as the activities and programs scheduled for that day,' he told the media after meeting Tun Musa at Istana Seri Kinabalu today.
According to Jeffrey, the main events include cultural performances, visits to traditional houses at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Centre, and the Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Queen) competition in the afternoon.
This year's Kaamatan theme, 'Kaamatan For All', reflects hopes for a smooth and vibrant celebration with the participation of local and international visitors.
He added that the festival will also welcome foreign visitors, including those from Kalimantan, as well as ambassadors and investors.
'Kaamatan is an important platform to boost Sabah's economy. That's why the government has allocated significant funds to support various activities not only in Sabah but also in Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.
'The Kaamatan celebration has now become a national-level festival, greatly impacting the economy and tourism sectors,' he explained.
He also noted that the festival benefits small-scale rural entrepreneurs and promotes local products on a broader scale.
'I believe the impact of Kaamatan extends beyond domestic borders — it's national and even international,' he added.
Also present were Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Datuk Peto Galim and the ministry's Permanent Secretary, Datuk Leonard Stephen Poyong.
