Latest news with #Sabah
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Tamparuli girl crowned 2025 state-level Unduk Ngadau
The 2025 state-level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan, Atitih Yatie Robert, has a degree in education from Universiti Putra Malaysia. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Atitih Yatie Robert has been crowned the winner of the 2025 state-level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan pageant, beating 50 other contestants to the title. Atitih, who hails from Tamparuli, won RM17,500 in cash, a North Borneo University College scholarship worth about RM35,000, a return trip to South Korea as well as a year's supply of rice, among other prizes. She is a graduate of Universiti Putra Malaysia with a bachelor's degree in education, majoring in Bahasa Melayu. Elka Alika Pijeh from Tambunan was the runner-up, earning her RM13,000, a scholarship worth RM30,000 to NBUC, while Celarin Jenny from Kiulu came in third, the Borneo Post reported. The latter received RM10,500 in cash and also an NBUC scholarship worth RM20,000, among others. The Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan pageant is held annually as part of the harvest festival in Sabah.
Malay Mail
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
‘Like a robot': Syed Saddiq laughs off Kaamatan dance struggle with Bella Astillah (VIDEO)
KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman had social media in stitches after a video of him dancing with singer-actress Bella Astillah during the Kaamatan Festival made the rounds online. Clad in traditional Sabahan attire, Syed Saddiq gamely attempted local dance steps in a clip shared on social media. But it was his stiff, robotic moves that stole the spotlight — and sparked light-hearted teasing from netizens, including the MP himself. 'Not sure whether to laugh or cry watching the video again. I think I'll just stick to Parliament,' he wrote on platform X. According to him, filming took hours as he struggled to loosen up. 'From afternoon till night. Had to keep reshooting because I was so stiff — like a robot. 'Thankfully, Bella was there. That helped ease the awkwardness,' he said. Syed Saddiq also took the opportunity to send festive greetings: 'This is Malaysia. Happy Kaamatan and Gawai to all.' Sabahans celebrated the Kaamatan Festival on May 30 and 31, while Sarawakians observe Gawai Day on June 1 and 2. Bella later shared on Instagram that the dance was a first for both of them. 'Our first dance collab! Not perfect, but definitely a lot of fun. What a transition – from daylight to night. 'Thank you, Syed Saddiq. I truly appreciate your courage and willingness to try something new. That's what made it special,' she said.
Free Malaysia Today
15 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Esteel's RM31bil project a vote of confidence in Sabah's future, says Hajiji
Chief minister Hajiji Noor said Sabah is committed to creating a stable and investor-friendly environment to drive economic growth. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor has hailed the RM31 billion three-phased project by Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd as a major milestone for the state's economic development. He said it would generate jobs, foster innovation, and support local businesses. Speaking at the launch of the project's Phase 1 at the Sabah International Convention Centre yesterday, Hajiji thanked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Singapore-based Green Esteel Group for backing Sabah's industrial ambitions. 'This project is not merely a financial commitment, but it is a vote of your confidence in our vision and in our capacity to foster growth and development,' he said in his speech. Hajiji added that the steel manufacturing plant, located in the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip), is expected to create a wide range of 'ripple effects' in sectors such as green technology and local entrepreneurship. He stressed that job creation must benefit Sabahans first and urged industry players to prioritise the training and upskilling of the local workforce. 'I want all industry players to invest in the training and development of our local workforce and to comply with this fundamental requirement as a core principle of our commitment to local development,' he said. Hajiji also credited more than a dozen federal and state agencies for their role in fast-tracking approvals for the Esteel project and assured the group that their 'trust is well-placed'. 'Together, we have the potential to achieve remarkable outcomes, leading the way for growth and development,' he said. Hajiji reaffirmed that Sabah will maintain its investor-friendly stance, noting that the state has implemented policies to attract more investors. 'We are committed to creating a conducive environment that nurtures investments and fosters collaboration,' he said, adding that besides Sogip, the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park has seen increased tenancy over the past four years. Due to high investor demand, Hajiji said the state government had approved three new industrial parks in Kota Belud, Beaufort, and Kudat under its Blue Economy initiative.
Malay Mail
18 hours ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Sabah PKR pledges unity and reform as Mustapha leads party into state polls with PM's backing
KOTA KINABALU, May 31 — Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah is grateful to the Prime Minister for his trust and confidence in the current leadership of Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sabah. 'I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister for my reappointment as chairman of the State Leadership Council (MPN), a great responsibility in leading PKR Sabah as we prepare for the upcoming 17th State Election (PRN17),' said Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, the chairman of Keadilan Sabah State Leadership Council. He said that in line with the direction of the new leadership and the aspirations of the party, PKR Sabah will strengthen this new direction through a constructive negotiation process with its partners in PH Sabah, aiming to deliver the best possible outcomes for all. 'Our goal, as original Sabahan is to empower and uphold the rights of the state in order to bring the greatest benefit to the people of Sabah,' he said in a statement on Friday. 'We reaffirm our commitment to the principles of unity, progress and reform, and we are determined to continue contributing positively toward the development and prosperity of Sabah under the PH coalition, while also opening avenues of collaboration with both local and national parties.' — The Borneo Post
Malay Mail
18 hours ago
- General
- Malay Mail
The heartbeat of Kaamatan: Inside the Kadazandusun's sacred ‘Magavau' ceremony that calls the rice spirit home
KOTA KINABALU, May 31 — The Kadazandusun people of Sabah are known not only for their vibrant traditions — such as gong music, rice wine, and dance — but also, as the largest indigenous ethnic group in the state, for their deep spiritual connection to the land from which they draw life and livelihood. To them, the land and all living beings are imbued with spirit, history, and meaning. This belief is reflected in their rich traditions and rituals — from birth to death, from planting to healing, and every action in between. At the heart of their identity is a reverence for the Bambarayon, the rice spirit and essence of life. To them, rice is more than just food or sustenance — it is life itself. They believe it is their duty to respect, protect, and live in harmony with the natural world. This belief forms the basis of their many sacred rituals, including those practiced during Kaamatan, the annual Harvest Festival. The Magavau ceremony is perhaps the most well-known, sacred, and traditional ritual of the Kaamatan Festival, centred on giving thanks to the spirits for a bountiful harvest. It is performed annually at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) during the state-level launch event. Magavau means 'to recover' in the Kadazandusun language and the ceremony is a thanksgiving ritual to honour and appease the rice spirit after the harvest. Sabah Native Council Affairs president Benedict Topin said that Magavau also derives from the root word tavau, which means 'fragrance', as the bobolians (high priestesses) use the scent of new rice to communicate with the scattered parts of the rice spirit, Bambarayon. According to tradition, when rice is harvested, parts of the rice spirit may become scattered or lost. Pests and predators such as insects, birds, and animals, as well as calamities like floods and droughts, can harm or carry away parts of Bambarayon. These parts can also be carelessly dropped during harvesting, transporting, winnowing, pounding, or milling, leaving them at the mercy of environmental hazards. Even discarded rice wine can cause the spirits to be lost. The Magavau ritual is performed to 'recall' the spirits to ensure continued blessings and bountiful harvests in the future. The ritual is conducted by a bobohizan or bobolian, the traditional priestess or spiritual leader of the Kadazandusun. She leads chants called rinaits, which can be in the form of songs, dances, and symbolic gestures to invoke the spirit of Bambarayon and guide it back to the rice barns and homes of the community. For the Kadazandusun people, rice is more than just food or sustenance — it is life itself. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin 'Magavau has enriched meanings, typical of the creative compositions of the rinaits (bobolian recitals) using rhyming words to maximise intentional meanings and purposes of words,' said Topin. The ritual chants begin with a circle of bobohizan and bobolians of a certain number, all chanting in ancient Kadazan language to communicate with the spirit world. It is said that the priestesses may enter a trance-like state during the ceremony. The rinaits serve to beckon the spirits to reunite with the whole Bambarayon spirit, symbolised by the Toguruon — seven ears of paddy hoisted on a bamboo pole. They repeat the chants continuously until they rise, place their hands on each other's shoulders, and move together in a circle. A male bobohizan normally takes the front of the line, waving a 'sword' while the others continue to chant to beckon the strayed Bambarayon to come home with them. Intermittently, a pangkis (triumphant war-cry) may be released by the male bobohizan as an expression of joy each time a part of Bambarayon is found and recovered. Throughout the Magavau ceremony, the bobohizan and their followers must stay close together, with their hands on the leader's shoulders. This is to maintain an orderly procession and to reduce the risk of stumbling at night, which could anger the many unseen spirits in the soil, water, wind, and vegetation. Sometimes, offerings such as cooked rice, chicken, rice wine (tapai), and traditional cakes are prepared and presented to the spirits. The priestesses may also use items like bamboo containers, rice stalks, and cloth to symbolically 'gather' the spirit. At some point, a gong ensemble and Sumazau dance will accompany the ritual, especially in the bigger district or community level rituals. With the adoption of religion and modern beliefs, such rituals are becoming rarer, but a symbolic ritual is still performed during the state-level Kaamatan closing ceremony to celebrate and promote Kadazandusun culture among the public and younger generation, reminding them of their ancestral beliefs.
