The 2026 Kaamatan Festival Main Committee in Sabah has introduced several new initiatives, including a free shuttle bus service, to enhance visitor comfort during peak celebrations on May 30 and 31.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Joachim Gunsalam said the shuttle service aims to ease traffic congestion around the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Complex.
Gunsalam, who is also chairman of the 2026 state-level Kaamatan Festival, said the service will operate between the KDCA complex and two shopping destinations, namely Imago Shopping Mall and Suria Sabah in Kota Kinabalu.
"The initiative is also intended to address the persistent issue of limited parking space around the complex,” he said after chairing the main committee meeting at the KDCA Hongkod Koisaan Hall recently.
To further improve visitor experience, he said, a Kaamatan Information Counter will be set up from May 15 to 31 to provide details on festival programmes and Sabah’s diverse ethnic cultures.
Additional LED screens will also be installed behind the KDCA complex, allowing more visitors to watch live events taking place at the Hongkod Koisaan Hall.
Gunsalam said upgrades have been carried out on the traditional houses within the complex to improve comfort, while the exhibition areas have been enhanced with paving works for better organisation and accessibility.
Open houses at all traditional houses will be held on May 30 and 31 from 11am to 2pm, he said, adding that no alcoholic beverages will be served. Only traditional drinks will be available, alongside scheduled cultural performances and exhibitions.
An "Excellence in Traditional House Management” competition will also be held, judged by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, the Sabah Tourism Board and Tourism Malaysia.
In addition, an application has been submitted to the Malaysia Book of Records to recognise the Kaamatan Festival as the longest harvest festival in the country.
Gunsalam announced that Papar has been selected as the launch venue for the 2026 Kaamatan Festival, scheduled to take place on May 1. – Bernama
