Kaamatan celebration boosts unity and motivation in Putatan: Shahelmey

16 May 2026

PUTATAN: The Kaamatan festival, celebrated by the Kadazan‑Dusun, Murut, Rungus and related communities (KDMR), should be a symbol of unity in Putatan and across Sabah, said Putatan Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya.

Speaking on this year’s Kaamatan theme, “Kaamatan: Reaping Unity, Celebrating Harmony”, he said the festival is highly significant for a people renowned for fraternity and for nurturing harmony in daily life regardless of religion, race or creed.

“As such, festivals like Kaamatan should be raised as a platform for unity among all communities in Putatan and, by extension, in Sabah."

“Preserve the harmony passed down by previous generations; it is our shared responsibility to maintain this unity."

“With the Kaamatan celebration, it is no longer observed only by KDMR communities but by other ethnic groups in Sabah, and it has become a key symbol in our state and nation,” he said.

Shahelmey, who is also Chairman of Sabah Oil & Gas Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (SOGDC),h made the remarks in his opening speech at the Putatan District Final of the Unduk Ngadau pageant, held at Dewan Sri Putatan on Saturday.

Also present were LPPB Chairman and Petagas State Assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Awang Sahari; Perkasa Trading Sdn Bhd Chairman and Tanjung Keramat State Assemblyman Shah Alfie Yahya; and Putatan District Officer Masawi Salleh.

Ten contestants competed in the Putatan District final of the Unduk Ngadau pageant at Dewan Sri Putatan to represent the district at the KDCA during the Kaamatan climax on 31 May.