Tag - Culture

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government will fully support the third Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race 2016 despite the call for prudent spending, said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun. Masidi said the Malaysian Tourism and Culture Ministry has resorted to slashing its expenditure this year by substantially reducing various allocations. Likewise, the State Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry has also taken prudent measures on its resources, he said. However, Masidi assured that the State Government would render its support to the dragon boat race, as organizing the event involved large manpower, funds and various resources. “The dragon boat race is a major event for the local community. The dragon boat race is not only a Chinese traditional event, it has gained the attention and participation from local bumiputeras,” Masidi said, during a courtesy call by the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) committee led by its president, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. T.C. Goh. Also present were Sabah Tourism Board (STB) general manager Gordon Yapp, FCAS vice president cum organizing chairperson of the dragon boat race Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, and vice president Datuk Agnes Shim. Goh briefed Masidi on the progress of organizing the dragon boat race and the event itinerary. He thanked the government for its support, adding that the federation would do its level best to ensure the success of the event. Meanwhile, Wong said FCAS has adopted the suggestion to hold the event in May in conjunction with the Harvest Festival celebrations in Sabah in order to showcase our colourful cultural activities to tourists. The third Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race 2016 will be held at Likas Bay on May 21-22. More than 100 teams are expected to compete in the event. FCAS has invited Masidi to grace the Sunset Beach Welcome Party on May 20, while the Head of State, Tun Datuk Seri Panglima (Dr.) Haji Juhar bin Datuk Haji Mahiruddin will officiate at the opening ceremony of the dragon boat race on May 22. Wong said she is happy that local Chinese organizations and community associations were signing up for the race, and urged those who have not done so to take part in the event in effort to promote Chinese culture and racial harmony. It is learnt that the participating teams have begun their training at Sutera Harbour Marina Club and Gayang. FCAS will also release a magazine on the third Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race 2016. Businesses are welcomed to advertise in the magazine. For advertisement inquiry or to register for the dragon boat race, please contact FCAS secretariat at 088-253433 or email to fcasinfo@gmail.com. Source : Borneo Post

KOTA KINABALU: The tale of legendary Sabah warrior, Mat Salleh will be performed on stage at the Sabah Fest 2016 from April 29 to May 1 at the National Department for Culture and Arts Sabah (JKKN) auditorium. Entitled, ‘Gulu Gulu-A Tribute to the Past’, it also marks the start of the month-long Harvest Festival celebration in May. “Gulu Gulu is a Kadazandusun word meaning ‘a long time ago’. This year we adopted the story of Mat Salleh set during the colonial era between 1894 (Sandakan) until his death in Tambunan in 1900,” said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun when announcing the show at Wisma Tun Fuad yesterday. “His story will be interpreted through dance, song and music as it brings the audience on an expedition across Sabah to showcase places and timelines of historical significance during Mat Salleh’s daring exploit of resistance against the British North Borneo Chartered Company rule,” he said. “The unique part of Mat Salleh was his supposedly mystical power. One example told to me by my grandfather was during the battle in Ranau where they were holed up by the British in the area where the SIBchurch is now sited,” shared Masidi. “The British were shelling Mat Salleh until the shooting stopped and the British thought they had either fled or run out of ammunition but they did not go in because they could still hear the gong beating. “So the next day they launched a surprise attack only to discover he had already left but according to my grandfather the gong was still beating by itself which was a trick created by Mat Salleh to make the British think he was still inside and that gave him sufficient time to escape,” he continued. “I don’t know how true the story is but my grandfather was there and the incident was known by the people in Ranau,” he said. “Another magical part was that my grandfather vehemently denied Mat Salleh was killed in Tambunan because he was such a brave person and could not have died just like that. So that part we leave it to the audience to speculate at the end of the show,” he said. The show will also feature other ethnic groups such as the Kadazan Penampang performing the Sumazau, Dusun Liwan of Ranau (Medtemu and Sumirip), Bajau Sama of Semporna (Limbaiyan and Kuntau, Suluk Sandakan (Singkil and Pengalai Kab Kab) and the Dusun Tambunan (Magarang). There will be traditional food and handicraft showcased from 5pm to 10pm at the compounds of JKKN. Masidi also thanked Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park and Telekom Malaysia for sponsoring tickets worthRM3,000 or 60 tickets for school students and he hoped other corporations would do the same. The show starts at 8pm and tickets are priced at RM50. More information can be obtained from event manager Zachary Mobijohn at 088-232121. Source: New Sabah Times