State Level Harvest Festival celebrations launched
KOTA BELUD: Heavy rain did not deter hundreds of people from thronging the town field here to witness the launch of the State Level Kaamatan (Harvest) Festival yesterday.
Describing the rain as a “blessing”, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the fact that there was a huge turnout showed that the people loved their culture.
Kaamatan was an opportunity for Sabah’s ethnic communities such as the Kadazandusun and Rungus to showcase their unique culture during the festivities being held in various districts and villages throughout the month of May, he said when launching the celebrations.
“This is an opportunity for different communities to come together to celebrate our diversity. In fact, cultural events such as Kaamatan is possible due to Sabah’s peace, security and stability that had been the Barisan Nasional’s struggle all the while.
Musa said Sabahans appreciated the ruling coalition’s efforts and this was reflected in their support for BN candidates in the state.
“I have travelled to many places around Sabah and the response to our candidates has been overwhelming, and the same is true here,” he said, adding that he believed the Kota Belud people would not betray the ruling coalition.
Also present at the launch was Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who said Kaamatan was not only a time for festivities among the ethnic communities but also to be thankful for whatever they had.
The Parti Bersatu Sabah president said the state was fortunate as the nation’s leadership had made it a priority to resolve longstanding issues affecting Sabahans, including the establishment of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants and the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) to boost security along the east coast.
The event saw Musa beating a gong seven times to launch the month-long festivities. Earlier, he and Pairin symbolically harvested paddy to mark the launch.
The highlight of the event was the Unduk Ngadau (Beauty Pageant) featuring 25 contestants from around Kota Belud, one of whom will be picked to represent the district in the state final on May 31.
Source : Borneo Post
