TENOM — The Sabah Government wants future Kalimaran Festivals to involve more local entrepreneurs, small businesses and tourism industry players to strengthen cultural tourism and boost the rural economy.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said greater participation from local businesses, handicraft producers, food operators, homestay operators and tourism industry players would help maximise the festival’s economic benefits for the community.
“We want greater participation from small businesses, local entrepreneurs, handicraft producers, food operators, homestay operators and tourism industry players,” he said.
He said organising festivals such as Kalimaran also supported the State Government’s efforts to encourage every district in Sabah to develop tourism products and experiences reflecting its unique identity ahead of Visit Sabah Year 2027.
“This festival will further strengthen the cultural tourism industry while providing opportunities for local communities to market their products and boost the rural economy,” he said at the opening ceremony of Ilau Kalimaran (Pesta Kalimaran) at the Datuk Seri Panglima Antanom Hall here today.
Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Datuk Ewon Benedick delivered Hajiji’s speech.
The Chief Minister also urged young people, particularly those from the Murut community, to preserve their ethnic heritage and cultural identity.
“Do not regard traditional culture as something outdated. Instead, make culture a source of strength and opportunity. Use digital technology and social media to introduce Murut culture to the world.
“Document our dances, music, traditional attire, food, languages, folklore and customs. We want the younger generation to become cultural ambassadors for Sabah. If we do not take steps to preserve our culture today, we may lose part of our identity in the future,” he said.
Hajiji said the younger generation should also continue to draw inspiration from Datuk Seri Panglima Ontoros Endoi, better known as Antanom, who symbolised courage, determination and the spirit of struggle.
He said Antanom’s legacy went beyond the courage to fight, encompassing dignity, self-respect, leadership, loyalty to one’s homeland and love for the community.
“These values remain highly relevant in our lives today. I want the spirit of Antanom to continue inspiring Sabah’s younger generation to appreciate their homeland, uphold unity, face challenges with courage, acquire knowledge and skills, develop a strong sense of identity and always contribute to the state and nation,” he said.
Hajiji reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to preserving, documenting and promoting Sabah’s cultural heritage across all ethnic communities.
He said this included strengthening efforts to map and document the state’s diverse ethnic cultures to ensure the heritage would be safeguarded for future generations.
On Kemabong’s development, Hajiji said the State Government aspired to further develop the area through agriculture, entrepreneurship and tourism, alongside improvements in infrastructure and the local economy.
He said major events such as the Kalimaran Festival could also help establish Kemabong as one of Sabah’s distinctive cultural and tourism destinations.
“I believe that with close cooperation between the State Government, government agencies, community leaders and strong support from the people, Kemabong will continue to grow and benefit from development,” he said.
He also called on the people to use the festival as an opportunity to strengthen bonds of friendship and unity, stressing the importance of maintaining peace, harmony and stability in Sabah.
“We must not allow our differences to become a source of division. I believe that with unity and stability, we can continue to pursue our development agenda through Sabah Maju Jaya,” he said.
