Pesta Kaamatan is a time for everyone, regardless of their
differences, to come together in thanksgiving for the plentiful harvest
that symbolises all the good that they have received in life.
Energy,
Green Technology and Water Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said
Pesta Kaamatan was a time for everyone to cast aside their differences
and rejoice with hope for a better future.
Similarly, he said that
political differences should not hinder the leaders and people from
cooperating to develop the community.
“We may have political
differences but we should have a common ground to come together and
carry out development plans and programmes because surely our common
goal is for the betterment and wellbeing of the people,” he said when
launching the Kota Marudu district-level Pesta Kaamatan celebrations,
here yesterday.
Ongkili said that several efforts had been
initiated to bring new technologies and methods to increase agricultural
and agro-based products in Kota Marudu, especially with the recent
launch of biotechnology initiatives in the constituency where
agriculture is a main economic activity.
“These include the
opening of a tissue culture laboratory which will provide farmers with
seedlings such as for the planting of pineapple, banana and papaya of
high value. The biotechnology initiatives for Kota Marudu also involve
the planting of high-value and high-technology hybrid padi while a
private company is also keen to begin the cultivation of oysters in Kota
Marudu.
“These will enable Kota Marudu’s agriculture sector to
develop further and the people to earn better income, but it requires
the commitment and cooperation of all parties,” he said.
Touching
on his new ministerial role which also involves resolving basic utility
issues in Sabah, he said any solution to resolve the problem would
require the people, as one of the important stakeholders, to work
together with the government.
Ongkili also announced that Kota
Marudu has been chosen as the venue for the state-level launching of
Pesta Kaamatan celebrations next year, adding that this would give it an
opportunity to showcase its products as well as the unique cultures of
the various ethnic groups such as the Rungus, Tobilung, Irranun,
Tinagas, Lingkabau and Kimaragang of Kota Marudu.
At the event, he
also crowned Kota Marudu’s Unduk Ngadau, Daphne Fay William Santor, who
will represent the district at the state-level Unduk Ngadau
competition.
Source: New Sabah Times
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