All articles of culture in Sabah

28Aug

Sabah to be a case study…

Kota Kinabalu: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of National Unity and Social Wellbeing Waytha Moothy Ponnusamy said Sabah's success in maintaining ethnic and religious harmony will be shared with Peninsular Malaysians through various programmes. He said the government is also looking at policies and laws to strengthen racial and religious harmony in the country. "I'm impressed with Sabah. Many of the families here have Christians and Muslims yet have no problem in eating together. People in peninsula should learn from them. "We're looking at policies and laws. There's an action plan on harmony which will be tabled soon. I think it will be ready in December or early January. Once the plan is in place, we will carry out a lot of programmes to enhance racial and religious unity," he said. On how the programmes would be different from others previously initiated, Waytha said it would be more inclusive, comprehensive and take into account past failures. "It will be comprehensive and more inclusive. It will take into account previous failures. We have to admit that some of our previous programmes failed to unite the people. The current plan will take into account the previous mistakes. We will rectify and make it even better." The Minister said a team of experts are currently looking at the mistakes and failures and will come up with a proposal once completed. In his message, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal stressed that ethnocentrism and racism have no place in Sabah. He warned that such negative culture could only cause harm to the good relationship among the people of different ethnics and faiths in the state. "We don't want ethnocentrism and racism to be a culture among the people. Sabah is made up of people from different ethnic communities and religions, which is unique and this valuable heritage must be preserved for generations to come. "Let us always be sensitive and respectful of the diverse beliefs we have in the state," he said, when closing the Inter-Faith Harmony Programme, Saturday. His speech was delivered by Law and Native Affairs Minister Datuk Aidi Mokthar. He said the Government is always committed to the National Unity Agenda and demands the same commitment from the people to preserve ethnic and religious harmony to the best of their ability. He singled out the programme as important to promote understanding and tolerance among religious leaders through inter-faith dialogues based on the basic faith concept accepted by all religions which is "Love God and Love One Another." "Any doubts that arise concerning the issue of religion can be resolved and managed effectively when there's space for interactive dialogue and positive discussion. This fosters harmony in the community that is made up of people from different religion and race," he added. Among the programme activities was a visit by participants to selected places of worship such as the Tzer Ying Temple, Mary Immaculate Church, Sri Pasupathinath Alayam Temple and the Nurul Hikmah Mosque. The programme was organised by the State National Unity and Integration Department. - Leonard Alaza   Source: Daily Express
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24Aug

Mooncake Festival joy at Gaya Street, Foh Sang

Kota Kinabalu: The annual Mooncake Festival celebrations will be a grand event and held in two areas - Gaya Street and Foh Sang - this year, said Luyang Assemblyman Phoong Jin Zhe. The Mooncake Festival programme will be held at Gaya Street on Sept 29 and Foh Sang on Oct 5. "The event will be co-organised by the Kota Kinabalu MP's Office, Likas and Luyang Assemblyman Office, City Hall, Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Satta) and United Sabah Chinese Communities Association (USCCA). He said this during a press conference at City Hall, Thursday. Phoong said the main organiser in charge for the Gaya Street celebrations is USCCA while Satta will be in charge of the Luyang celebrations. He said it has been years since the last time the Mooncake Festival was celebrated on a large scale. "The stage performances and entertainment side in Luyang will be handled by Satta while the festival night market will be handled by City Hall. "Information on other aspects of the festival, including the renting of stalls will be handled by City Hall." He said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal will be invited to officiate both events. Phoong said the Gaya Stree Mooncake Carnival will include a lantern procession and also a night market. On why Satta was handling the Foh Sang celebrations, Phoong said it has always been his hope that Satta would help promote Foh Sang to Chinese tourists visiting Kota Kinabalu. "Since the KK tourism industry is booming, we hope they can bring a little bit more tourists to visit Foh Sang as well to experience the local Chinese lifestyle and cuisine there." Meanwhile, USCCA President Datuk Susan Wong said the Gaya Street event on Sept 29 event will feature the Big Autumn Tanlung (lantern) competition which is divided into four groups. "These are the primary school category, secondary school category, a category among our 15 Chinese community associations and the last is the open category with attractive cash prizes for the winners," she said. Wong added that the main event will be a parade along Gaya Street at night to entertain the public with other activities being singing and dancing performances on the stage. "As the event is to celebrate the Mooncake Festival, there will be a mooncake cutting event." Satta President Dato Seri Winston Liaw called on the public to support the event at Foh Sang. "There will be a variety of entertainment activities such as shows and also lantern competition as well and is also the time to share the Chinese culture to all." Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai said City Hall is happy to get the opportunity to do the project together with the celebration co-organisers to make Kota Kinabalu a more interesting and liveable city for its residents and visitors. Also present was Likas Assemblyman Tan Lee Fat. - Neil Chan Source: Daily Express Online
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15Aug

Flagging off Unduk Ngadau delegates Mount Kinabalu Climb

YB Christina Liew together with the delegates of Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan at the flag off. Winner of this year's Sabah Unduk Ngadau, Hosiani James Jaimis, first runner up, Sherrylyn Pailus together with Unduk Ngadau committee chairperson, Joanna Kitingan were among the delegates for the climb on the 12 August 2018. YB Christina Liew  melepaskan delegasi Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan Sabah pada 12 Ogos 2018. Pendakian itu disertai pemenang Unduk Ngadau tahun ini, Hosiani James Jaimis, naib johan Sherrylyn Pailus dan pengerusi penganjur Unduk Ngadau Joanna Kitingan.   
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14Aug

Preserve and capitalise on cultural wealth: Shafie

Tuaran: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the State's cultural wealth should be preserved and fully capitalised on. "The culture in Sabah is a wealth which should not only be celebrated or showcased each year as a tourism product but also should be passed down to the next generation," he said when officiating the State-level International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples celebration in Kiulu, near here, Thursday. "Culture is an art which needs to be appreciated as it can be an international attraction. "Indigenous people should preserve their customs and lifestyles. We must be proud to showcase our culture like the traditional costumes." The State's assets, he said, should not only be focused on timber or oil and gas. "Culture is a wealth and it is inside us but we never make full use of it. As such, it is very important to preserve it," he said. Mohd Shafie also said the inaugural State-level International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples celebration was historical. It was held, he said, in conjunction with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) where Malaysia was one of the signatory countries. In 1985, the United Nation's Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc) established the Working Group on Indigenous People (WGIP) to draft a special rights guideline to protect indigenous people. The draft was eventually endorsed on Sept 13, 2007 and known as UNDRIP – a minimum standards to preserve the existence, dignity and wellbeing of the world's indigenous peoples. "In 2007, I represented the Malaysian Government to the UN and brought along the Orang Asli from Pahang." Celebrations such as the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Shafie said, must be celebrated together to appreciate the State's diverse ethnic groups. "I hope it will be held annually not only to celebrate the UNDRIP but also to attract tourists and to help the local small entrepreneurs. "They can promote their traditional costumes, food and dance…such effort should be encouraged," he said, adding that the celebration should not only emphasise on the local culture but also the products. Meanwhile, Shafie assured that the State Government will continue to protect the rights of Sabah's indigenous people. "I am confident that the Government is able to protect the rights of the indigenous people in the State and that is why we created the Native Law and Affairs Ministry to handle rights issues such as land, custom and culture, among others. "If there is a need to create new laws regarding these issues, then we will do it," he said. Also present were Deputy Chief Minister cum Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau and Sabah Cultural Board Chairman Tan Sri Wences Angang. - Ricardo Unto Source: Daily Express Newspaper Online
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06Aug

Mount Kinabalu challenge for Harvest Queen

Kota Kinabalu: One does not only have to be beautiful inside and out to be the State Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (UNK), but also physically fit as proven by this year's crown holder Hosiani James Jaimis. Hosiani, together with the first runner-up of the State UNK pageant, Sherrylyn Jane Rannytho, and State UNK organising committee chairperson Joanna Datuk Kitingan as well as other committee members, will be taking on the challenge of climbing Mount Kinabalu. Commending their effort, State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew said over the years, the role of the State UNK is becoming more meaningful in promoting Sabah's cultural heritage tourism spots. "This year, Sabah Parks will sponsor her (Hosiani) climb on Aug 12-13…this is the first time the State UNK is going to officially climb Mount Kinabalu," she said during a courtesy call by the State UNK organising committee at the Ministry's office, here, Thursday. Liew added that the Ministry will also endorse the State UNK as the State Cultural Heritage Tourism Ambassador where she can be invited to promote Sabah together with the Sabah Tourism Board or any relevant agencies. "The Ministry will be able to benefit if we work closely with the State UNK committee to promote tourism." Admitting that the Mount Kinabalu climb will be the first experience for 25-year-old Hosiani, she is now busy in making intensive preparation for the climb. "It was Joanna who first encouraged me to climb Mount Kinabalu as part of the ways to promote our tourism spots. "Now, I work out in gym as well as go for morning jogs almost every day…I hope everything will be fine. "I was a sprinter during my school days but it has been a while I did not take part in hill-hiking activities. "As part of the preparation, we will also do training sessions in Bukit Padang," she said. Joanna is also confident with the capabilities of Hosiani in promoting tourism in the State. "Mount Kinabalu is the first cultural heritage site in the State to be promoted by her. "It is a tough assignment but I believe in her abilities as she is an all-rounder. "That is what Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan is all about – it is not just about beauty, but also embracing the spirit of Huminodun, to be ready all the time to carry out her duties."Furthermore, Mount Kinabalu is a significant site as it is revered by the local communities." The team will be flagged off by Liew at Timpohon gate, on Aug 12. Source: Daily Express
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