CM wants Pesta Kalimaran to be bolstered

31 OCTOBER 2026

TENOM: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor wants the future Kalimaran Festival to continue being bolstered by involving more local entrepreneurs and tourism industry players.

"We want greater participation from small businesses, local entrepreneurs, handicraft producers, food operators, homestay operators and tourism industry players," he said.

Hajiji said organising such festivals also aligns with the State Government's efforts to encourage every district in Sabah to develop tourism products and experiences with its own unique identity in preparation for 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 llau Kalimaran (Pesta Kalimaran) at the Datuk Seri Panglima Antanom Hall here on Saturday.

Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Datuk Ewon Benedick delivered the Chief Minister's speech.

The Chief Minister ster urged young people, particularly the the younger generation of the Murut community, not to forget their ethnic heritage and culture.

"Do not regard traditional culture as something outdated.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.

He said young Muruts should continue to remember Datuk Seri Panglima Ontoros bin Endoi @ Antanom, better known as Antanom, who symbolised courage, determination and the spirit of struggle.

"However, the spirit of Antanom that we seek to inherit is not merely about the courage to fight, but also about 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 said the State Government remained committed to ensuring that Sabah's cultural heritage from all ethnic communities continued to be preserved, documented, and promoted.

"This is in line with the State Government's efforts to strengthen the mapping and documentation of Sabah's ethnic cultures to ensure that the state's cultural diversity remains a treasured heritage for future generations," he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said the State Government aspired to continue developing Kemabong through agriculture, entrepreneurship, and tourism, as well as infrastructure development and the local economy.

The organisation of major events such as the Pesta Kalimaran could also help promote 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. Hajiji also called on everyone to use the Kalimaran Festival to strengthen bonds of brotherhood and unity.

"Let us continue to safeguard peace, harmony and stability in this state. 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.