KOTA KINABALU: Sabahans eagerly greeted Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as he toured the cultural village at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) grounds in Penampang on Friday (May 31).
The Prime Minister was in town to close the month-long state-level Kaamatan, or Harvest Festival.
Wearing batik and traditional Kadazandusun headgear, Anwar, accompanied by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, arrived at the KDCA’s Hongkod Koisaan hall at 9.45am.
He was welcomed by Huguan Siou (paramount leader of the Kadazandusun community) Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Deputy Chief Minister and KDCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, among others.
As Anwar entered the hall, he was received by a line of bobohizan, or high priestesses, and local Kadazandusun leaders.
Also greeting Anwar and other guests were an array of traditional music and people from various Sabah ethnic groups dressed in their full traditional and colourful attire.
After delivering his speech, the Prime Minister witnessed the mongomot, a Kadazan ceremony symbolising the harvesting of paddy.
Anwar then joined other VIPs in singing a Kaamatan song in the Kadazan language, with lyrics projected on an onstage television.
He toured the cultural village next to the hall, stopping to shake hands and mingle with locals, many of whom were adorned in traditional costumes.
He also visited several cultural houses to meet the elders and members of those ethnic communities, who were thrilled that the country's top leader took the time to visitthem.
In his speech, Anwar emphasised his commitment to racial unity and the rights of the people.
"If there are those who start insulting race, religion, and rejecting rights, I will say no and will not allow it to happen. That is why I chose to come for the Kaamatan festival; it is a beautiful and fresh culture," he said.
He added that the Prime Minister’s Office has always included the art and culture of the Kadazandusun, Murut, and Rungus communities.
"Together with the strength of the Malays, Chinese, Indians, the Dayaks, and other groups in Sarawak, this is the identity of Malaysia. This is important because it reflects that Malaysia is a united front," said Anwar.
