Dr Maximus (second right) and Ipoh (right) performing the traditional practice after harvesting paddy. Looking on are Rozman (second left at back) and Yunus (left at back).
LABUAN: Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) deputy president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili yesterday urged the Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) community here to practise the ‘mitatabang’ concept.
He said the ‘mitatabang’ concept was synonymous with the KDM community where, in order to reach the final objective (to harvest the paddy), everybody went out to work to ensure that the objective was realised.
“The KDM will help each other so that everybody has something to harvest.
“This traditional concept is applicable in building and developing this nation together. During this special occasion (Kaamatan Festival), let us forget our differences, especially our political ideologies.
“The 13th general election has passed and now it is time for us to work together for our country,” he said before officiating at the Kaamatan Festival at Blessed Sacrament Hall here.
Meanwhile, Dr Maximus criticised the opposition for causing disturbances, saying the opposition could not accept the election result.
“It is stupid to create disturbances. Our system is democratic and we are applying the British (Westminster) parliamentary system.
“In this system, the party that wins the most parliamentary seats is the one to form the government and not based on popular votes.”
He then recalled the words of Prime Minsiter Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that the political process to form the government was over and it was time for the citizens of this country to come together.
“The government that has been given the mandate by the citizens of this country must be respected,” said Dr Maximus.
He further said the Kaamatan Festival was the best way for the KDMs to stay united and put aside their differences.
“When we unite after putting aside our political differences, we need to find space for us to help each other to ensure the government’s aspirations can be realised.
“Our Prime Minister has pledged that the 1Malaysia agenda would be continued to improve the socio-economy of the people of this country,” he said, adding that parents must instil among their children to appreciate the ethnic diversity of this country.
Also present was new Labuan member of parliament Rozman Isli who said the Kaamatan Festival had added colours to the island in terms of cultural diversity.
He said even though Labuan is now under federal territory administration, Labuan and Sabah could not be separated for its culture and socio-economy.
“We appreciate KDCA in Labuan for their efforts to develop the KDM culture here. Labuan is dubbed the Pearl of Borneo as it is coloured with rich cultures from both Sabah and Sarawak.
“This Kaamatan Festival has high potential to be turned into a tourism product here. It is an asset for the tourism industry and tourism is one of the economic pillars of this island,” he said.
Rozman further said he would continue his pledge to cooperate and work closely with non-governmental organisations here, including KDCA.
Present at the event were Senator Datuk Yunus Kurus, Labuan Corporation chief executive Datuk Zainul Abidin Abdullah and Labuan KDCA president Ipoh Paul.
Source : Borneo Post
konsep yang masih kekal diamalkan oleh kaum KadazanDusun hingga sekarang.generasi muda perlu kekalkan amalan ni.
ReplyDeletekekalkan konsep ini bagi terus mewujudkan keharmonian dan keamanan..
ReplyDeleteMitatabang adalah perkataan dusun kimaragang. Dalam bahasa malaysia ianya lebih kurang bermaksud tolong-menolong, bergotong-royong atau saling mendokong/menyokong diantara satu dengan yang lain.
ReplyDeleteTimbalan Ketua Menteri, Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan, mahu rakyat Sabah membudayakan semangat “mitatabang” (bekerjasama) bagi mengukuhkan perpaduan di kalangan masyarakat pelbagai kaum di negeri ini.
ReplyDeletebeliau yang juga Presiden Persatuan Kebudayaan Kadazan Dusun Sabah (KDCA) berkata semangat seumpama itu, yang sekian lama menjadi amalan setiap perayaan Pesta Kaamatan, turut menyumbang kepada perpaduan kaum yang merupakan kunci utama kemajuan dan keamanan.
ReplyDeleteSemangat mitatabang ini masih utuh di kalangan masyarakat kita dan semangat ini perlu dipertahankan.
ReplyDeleteKalau dulu, semangat mitatabang dapat dilihat dalam konteks menyediakan makanan di mana setiap keluarga membawa makanan masing-masing untuk dinikmati bersama semasa mengadakan Pesta Kaamatan.
ReplyDeletesemangat mitatabang terserlah melalui kerjasama serta sokongan dalam pelbagai bentuk termasuk memberi sumbangan tenaga dan wang ringgit untuk menjayakan Pesta Kaamatan
ReplyDeletekerajaan Sabah memberi pengiktirafan yang tinggi kepada sambutan Pesta Kaamatan dengan mengisytiharkan dua hari iaitu pada 30 dan 31 Mei setiap tahun sebagai cuti umum bagi membolehkan masyarakat di negeri ini menyambut perayaan itu.
ReplyDeleteThe 'mitatabang' spirit is still strong among the community
ReplyDeletesupport in various forms
ReplyDeleteit should be preserved
ReplyDelete