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Malay Mail
30-05-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Kaamatan, Gawai embody unity in diversity, say Zahid, ministers in festive greetings
KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 — The Kaamatan Festival and Gawai Day, celebrated from today until Monday (June 2), are proof that harmony, tolerance and consensus can unite the people of Malaysia as one big family regardless of race, religion and background. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said these festivals not only symbolised gratitude for their harvest but reflected the rich tradition and cultural heritage of the people of Sabah and Sarawak. 'From May 30 to June 2 every year, Malaysians, particularly the Kadazan, Dusun, Murut, Rungus, Dayak community and various other ethnicities in Sabah and Sarawak celebrate the Kaamatan Festival and Gawai Day as a symbol of gratitude for the harvest. 'May the Kaamatan Festival and Gawai Day celebrations this year bring goodness, prosperity and a brighter future for all Malaysians, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak. Kotobian Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan and Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai!,' he posted on X today. Meanwhile, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Kaamatan Festival proved that cultural diversity in this country not only exists but is also proudly celebrated. 'In the spirit of Madani Malaysia, values like mutual respect, celebrating differences and living together peacefully are principles that we all jointly uphold. 'On behalf of the Home Ministry staff, I would like to wish Happy Kaamatan Festival to everyone in Sabah celebrating this festival with great spirit and joy,' he posted on Facebook today. Saifuddin hopes that this year's Kaamatan Festival will be celebrated in a peaceful and meaningful atmosphere and continue to strengthen the spirit of togetherness among the people. 'Kotobian Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan!', he said. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa also hopes that this season of celebration will bring an abundance of sustenance, good health and closer ties among all people. 'I want to wish Kotobian Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan and Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai to everyone celebrating them. 'Malaysia is strong because we complement each other. Each time we uplift each other's culture, we are building a country with love and respect in the spirit of Madani Malaysia,' she said. Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, meanwhile, has described the Kaamatan Festival being celebrated in full tradition as not only a symbol of gratitude for the harvest but one that has a broader meaning. He posted on Facebook that the values and meaning of the festival can be seen in the unity of the people celebrating it in an atmosphere of harmony, tolerance and mutual respect. 'May this celebration, aptly themed 'Kaamatan For All', strengthen unity, celebrate cultural diversity and bring joy to everyone. Kotobian Tadau Tagaza Do Kaamatan. Kaamatan Montok Toinsanan,' he said. Minister of National Unity Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said Gawai Day is celebrated every June 1 by the Dayak community in Sarawak as a sign of gratitude for the harvest and the beginning of their New Year. 'It is filled with customs, traditional dances, special food, and a warm spirit of togetherness. Happy Gawai Day to all who are celebrating! May this festival bring joy and prosperity and strengthen bonds of friendship. Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai,' he posted on Facebook. — Bernama
Borneo Post
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Harvest Festival to include all communities, add planting initiative
Jeffrey (right) during the radio and TV program recording. KOTA KINABALU (May 6): The Harvest Festival (Pesta Kaamatan) celebration is being expanded beyond the Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDMR) community to include all members of society, regardless of background, so that everyone can celebrate together. Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan, who is also the chairman of the Sabah State-Level 2025 Harvest Festival Celebration Main Committee, said this year's festival will open opportunities for all groups in line with this year's theme, 'Kaamatan For All.' He mentioned that apart from the Sugandoi and Unduk Ngadau competitions, various other contests will be held, such as cooking, service-based and handicraft competitions. 'Interestingly, this year's Harvest Festival will not only be a harvest celebration but also a planting festival, where seven types of increasingly rare herbal plants will be cultivated during the event. This initiative is part of efforts to prevent valuable and precious herbal species from going extinct. 'Aside from cultural performances, this year's Harvest Festival will also serve as a platform for dialogue, featuring an Intercultural Dialogue program that will discuss local culture in relation to foreign countries. 'This dialogue will explore how we can celebrate together and understand cultures other than our own. So far, we have held dialogues with Indonesia, Korea, and our neighbor, the Philippines,' he said. Jeffrey, who is also the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, spoke to the media after recording a program with RTM Sabah at the Integrated Complex of the Ministry of Communication, following his chairmanship of the Sabah State-Level Harvest Festival Celebration Main Committee meeting at the same venue on Monday.
Borneo Post
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Warisan tipped as frontrunner, may return as single-party govt
KOTA KINABALU (April 25): Many people, including political analysts, anticipate that the Warisan party will perform favourably in the forthcoming state election (PRN). The key issue is whether Warisan can achieve a simple majority to independently establish the next state government. Kanul Political analyst and social activist Dr Kanul Gindol offers his perspective on this topic. He said if there is a Sabah political party capable of achieving just that – a simple majority – it is Warisan, no other party! 'Unlike other Sabah parties, the support Warisan and its president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has actually is more multi-racial than many have thought, making it more like Berjaya and PBS in the 1970s and 1980s, respectively,' he said here today. Kanul pointed out that Warisan's stand to go it alone could well be a political masterstroke, as Sabahans appeared ready to return to the Berjaya or PBS times when a single multi-racial party governed the state. 'In contrast to other parties, Warisan already has a good blend of leaders of different backgrounds. Warisan also seems to be a true-blue Sabah party when it comes to speaking for the state and the people. It is not afraid to stand up to BN or PH. 'Is a single-party government again a better choice? This state election will show if the people want a return to Berjaya and PBS times or stick with the current style of coalition of too many parties,' he said. At least, he said another local party, Parti Impian Sabah (PIS), also thinks similarly that a single party is a better choice to guarantee political stability in Sabah. PIS argues the current GRS coalition is unstable because anytime it could collapse if it could not satisfy its component parties. 'And so people believed much time had been wasted on satisfying the whims and fancies of the parties rather than working for the people; thus, we have the roads, electricity and water always in bad shape these four years,' he opined. Kanul also claimed there had been a resurgence of Chinese support for Warisan. 'The Chinese are warming up again to Warisan, and we can already feel it,' he said, pointing out he has personally spoken to many of his Chinese friends. 'I found out Sabahan Chinese are no longer 99% with PH. A substantial number will vote for Warisan. They told me the Chinese would only look at who will be the top man or chief minister, not all the YB assembly members. 'My friends told me that Shafie's promise to appoint a Chinese person as finance minister if Warisan wins has further aroused the sentiment among the Sabahan Chinese for Warisan,' Kanul said. Nevertheless, Warisan has not been quite liked in many Kadazan Dusun Murut areas. Understandably so because of the continuous work of certain parties to portray Shafie as pro-Filipino immigrants, but this is being addressed by a Warisan task force, and it is already bearing fruit. 'More and more young and middle-aged Kadazandusun-Muruts favour Warisan now, and this we could see at Warisan gatherings, on social media and in surveys. 'Don't be surprised if there are surprises in the coming state election. Don't be surprised if long-serving presidents fall. PBS might have its third president to fall; it is possible; it already happened to two PBS presidents,' he added. But can Warisan win a simple majority of 38 seats out of the 73? According to Kanul, Warisan looks set to contest in at least 50 seats, including in Chinese and Kadazan Dusun Murut seats. 'I'm not privy to Warisan intelligence, but from what we hear, they are confident of the possibility of winning 41 seats. If this happens, then Warisan will form a single-party state government, a return to the Berjaya or PBS times. 'Many people claimed that now no party is strong enough to win on its own right in Sabah, but this is politics; nothing is impossible. Another factor is this : Warisan still has the machinery, or 'jentera'; it has the grassroots organisations in all areas it has stood before,' Dr Kanul said. What if Warisan can't win 38 seats? Dr Kanul is of the opinion that Warisan can always fall back onto Parti KDM if the party, which is currently led by Priscella Peter, wins enough seats and is willing to partner Warisan on the night of the election result. 'A two-member coalition is much more solid and better than a 10-party coalition,' he said, adding he expected PBS and Star would be 'trapped' in using a common GRS symbol, which will bar them from leaving GRS to work a coalition with Warisan or any other party post-election. 'In my view, on the other hand, if Warisan doesn't win outright but it holds onto the principle of refusing to enter into a coalition with any Malaya-based party, thus remaining the state opposition, it could still redeem itself when the parliamentary election comes in 2027. 'It is a matter of principle. The new voters will factor this in. If you go against your own words, you lose integrity. Leaders must say what they mean and mean what they say. Gone are the days when you hoodwink Sabahans,' he said, adding that whatever it is – politics is a game of possible – nothing is impossible.
