KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's RM13.66mil allocation for preserving cultural heritage and arts is for future generations, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said heritage such as the traditional attire of Sabah's ethnic groups should be inherited today and protected for future generations.
"I hope interest in our cultural heritage can be maintained and passed down from one generation to the next," he said on Saturday (April 26) during the Tuaran district-level Sodop Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan programme.
Hajiji said participants of the Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Queen) pageant should seize the chance to become ambassadors for preserving the culture, language, and traditions of the Kadazandusun ethnic group.
He said the programme is not just a traditional fashion competition but an important platform to preserve, uplift, and dignify cultural heritage.
“This is particularly so in showcasing aspects of traditional attire rich in aesthetic value, symbolism, and history of the Kadazandusun Murut and Rungus (KDMR) communities,” he said.
"Events like this can also provide opportunities for local ethnic fashion designers to generate income through their creativity and creations," said Hajiji.
He said traditional attire is not just clothing but symbolises the identity, social status, values, and traditions of a community.
For example, the Tuaran district is known for its Linangkit embroidery, where each stitch, motif, and colour carries its own meaning and story, he explained.
"We must appreciate and promote this art to the younger generation and society," Hajiji said.
"This competition also supports the state government's efforts to strengthen cultural tourism through promoting local heritage,” he added.
He said the uniqueness of the Kadazandusun ethnic attire can attract attention both at the state and international levels.
The Chief Minister said the theme for this year's Kaamatan Festival, "Kaamatan For All", carries significant meaning, as the spirit of Kaamatan is for all people of Sabah.
