KOTA KINABALU: Newly-appointed members of the KadazanDusun Cultural Association (KDCA) leadership have been reminded to uphold the spirit of togetherness (mogitatabang) as practised by their ancestors.
Paramount leader of the Kadazandusun Murut communities and KDCA president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan (pic) said the newly-installed central committee members must also preserve the spirit of working together to usher in a new era for the association.
He said although every member has their own role and position to uphold, they are still a team.
“We have to practise mogitatabang as taught and passed down by our ancestors,” he said at the KDCA central committee installation programme here on Wednesday (Aug 17) night.
He said cooperation would take the organisation further while unity would help its members face challenges, especially those of the modern era that could lead to a deviation from their purpose and roles within the KDCA.
He said the KDCA has come a long way in its quest to preserve native culture, but still has more to achieve.
“I hope we can accept these responsibilities with a strong, committed and dedicated heart, and work together to find better and more effective ways (of doing things) for KDCA's future," Pairin said.
“Let's start this new era with a capable central committee. I am pleased that you have accepted this responsibility and I am also pleased to see that you are ready to bring progress to the association,” he added.
He hoped that the new lineup would allow KDCA to adopt a more serious and creative attitude in helping the community and turnings its aspirations into reality.
Pairin also reminded committee members to plan and strive beyond their 2022-2025 term.
“You must continue your efforts to really bring changes beyond 2025," he said.
Over 40 central committee members took their oaths during the ceremony, including deputy presidents Datuk Seri Dr Clarence Bongkos Malakun, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam and Datuk Jahid Jahim.
After the installation ceremony, attendees proceeded to celebrate Pairin’s 82nd birthday.
