No Kaamatan promotion at airports — Kit Siang

By Chok Sim Yee | The Borneo Post

KOTA KINABALU: Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) is one of the highlights in the Sabah annual calendar of events, but sadly, not much effort has been made to promote the cultural event, even at the main gateways to the state — the airports.

At least this was what Democratic Action Party (DAP) advisor Lim Kit Siang noticed when he arrived yesterday.

Claiming that there was not much effort done by the federal government to recognise and promote Pesta Kaamatan, he said this defeats the whole meaning of the 1Malaysia concept, which was the brainchild of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“Pesta Kaamatan is the most important celebration in Sabah but sadly, I do not see any Pesta Kaamatan-related decorations when I arrived at the airport,” he said, pointing out that it was the best place to promote the event as it is the first place to welcome incoming tourists, be it domestic or foreign.

He also questioned why Najib could not even spare some time to attend such an important programme.

“If the Prime Minister could go to the Sibu by-election for three to four
times, then he should be able to join in the Kaamatan celebration with the KadazanDusuns and Muruts in Sabah, and later with the Dayaks for the Gawai in Sarawak. He was the one who suggested the 1Malaysia concept, so practise it.

“He should walk the talk and show he placed importance on the celebrations of all races,” he stressed.

He later attended the closing of the State-Level Pesta Kaamatan at the Hongkod Koisaan Building in Penampang, yesterday.

Lim was also seeking clarification from Najib on whether his cabinet ministers are putting the “Malaysian people” first, or their own race as priority.

In another development, Lim said the recent Sibu by-election result showed that the Barisan Nasional (BN) had lost its grip on the fixed-deposit states, and that the parliamentary seats in Sabah and Sarawak would be open for a fair competition between Pakatan Rakyat and the BN.

He pointed out that the by-election had sent a clear message that the BN Government could not provide a fair treatment and failed to fulfil the people’s demands in East Malaysia.

Hence, Lim revealed that he would bring the matter up with the Prime Minister in the Parliament sitting next week on whether the government will be setting up a Royal Inquiry Committee to determine whether Sabah and Sarawak received a fair treatment and development ever since both states and Malaya formed Malaysia in 1963.

“I will ask the Prime Minister to list the number of allocations and types of allocation given to Sabah and Sarawak from 1963 till present.”

He added that he would also raise the issue of illegal immigrants in Sabah during the Parliament sitting as well as the reason why Malaysia surrendered the claim over Block L and Block M in Limbang to Brunei.

Lim also spoke on the Malay Consultative Council (Perkasa), which he claimed is disrespectful to the Agong by slamming the New Economic Model at the Bumiputra Economic Congress.

He said the Agong had described Najib’s NEM as revolutionary and had the potential to develop the country, thus urging for the people’s blessing towards the NEM.

“However, Perkasa which heads the congress criticised NEM, showing their disrespect to the Agong.”

12 Replies to “No Kaamatan promotion at airports — Kit Siang”

  1. CM has no mood, because he will lose his position and will be replaced by So-free Up-dull very soon. Cannot sleep and cannot eat, and thinking how to save himself. Where got mood to celebrate?

  2. Not to divert attention away from this but I thought this was interesting.

    http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/1/nation/6378334&sec=nation

    Pendatangs of 400 year. Seems like 400 year ago we were not as second class as now. If you been to Kuala Terengganu and go to some Chinese shops, they can trace their roots back for many many generations. There is even a Chinese cemetary in the middle of malay fishing villages that are hundreds of years old.

  3. Najib will only visit Sabah if there is a buy-election. Then he will need to go and give angpows & say ‘u help me, i help u.”

    After that najib will b back in putrajaya to enjoy his aircon and the vistas.

  4. keep up the good job of penetrating Sabah and Sarawak further Senior Lim…never rest on your laurels because depending merely on Sibu and Kuching is definitely not enough…but i believed that after Senior’s suggestion, and if it happens that BE is around the corner in Sabah next year, millions will be pumped in to promote Tadau Kaamatan next year….

  5. from Daily Express ;

    Pairin who is also Huguan Siou (Paramount Leader) paid tribute to the Chief Minister for his continuing support for the Kaamatan Festival.

    “We should be thankful and grateful, for example, to our own Right Honourable Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Hj Aman, who, incidently is of Kadazandusun descent, for his steadfastness and role in fully supporting our Kaamatan Festival and in developing our State which is now enjoying financial and bountiful economic harvests.

    “On behalf of our community and the State Cabinet Kaamatan Festival Celebrations Committee, I would like to say ‘kotohuadan’ and ‘thank you’ because last year you approved an allocation for necessary repairs of the Hongkod Koisaan Building and also for its surrounding infrastructures,” he said.

  6. Acting is over.
    The real Najib is seen.
    His hypocrisy is legendary.
    Saw a documentary film about liars.
    One who speaks with hands waving one side and looking at another side… is a liar.
    The example was about Bill Clinton lying speech ..saying no sex with one female assistant.
    Now look at Najib’s right hand waving at Ranjang Park speech…with him looking somewhere else.

  7. Najib sacked two MCA ministers and replaced them with 4 additional, deputies ministers.
    He has the most ministers and deputies in the history of all PMs.
    How not to go bankrupt with such a irresponsible unproductive PM with a big mouth..talk of sweet nothing only.
    Most glaring….Khairy never considered a ministerial post..to please Mahathir.
    That’s quality..not quantity according to Najib.

  8. Malaysians visiting Malaysia is also very important. They also spend money on these places. Our tourism industry have not come to a stage of realizing that every tourist is important; both local and international. Why must you think and hope that foreigners spend more ? You think you yourself do not visit any of Malaysia’s places ? Our focus is mainly on Westerners. It is high time somebody with a down to earth sense promote tourism among local Malaysians and value their transactions. Some of these tourist agents think ” oh…another local fella….no need to be too enthusiastic about him ” That is a wrong attitude. Perhaps there is one casino at Mount Kinabalu ???

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