"Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) Strengthens Unity"

TELUPID (Sabah, Malaysia), May 19 (Bernama) -- The Kaamatan (Harvest) festival celebration has played an important role in strengthening unity among the people, not only between the three main ethnic groups in Sabah - the Kadazan, Dusun and Murut, but also permeated among the people regardless of race and religion,said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan. He said this was in line with the 1Malaysia concept where the people celebrate every festival held in the country. "This is the uniqueness of the country where the people are together in celebrating all festivals in harmony and with the strong spirit of unity," he said at the Beluran district level Kaamatan celebration here last night. Pairin, who is also president of the Sabah Kadazan Cultural Association, said the government acknowledged the festival by giving two days of public holiday for it, this year being on May 30 and 31 in Sabah, Malaysia easternmost state. The state Kaamatan Festival was launched on May 1 by Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman in Kuala Penyu and the grand finale will be on May 30 and 31 at Hongkod Koisaan Cultural Hall (KDCA) in Penampang. Kaamatan Festival, known as 'Magavau', is a special occasion to be thankful for the bountiful harvest that feeds the people, as well as for the peace and stability in the country that the people are enjoying. -- BERNAMA