Momogun Leader Calls for United Identity and Pragmatic Development at Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration

20 September 2025

TENOM: The President of the Momogun National Congress (MNC), Tan Sri Wences Angang, has issued a rallying cry for the indigenous communities of Sabah to unite under the collective identity of "Momogun" and embrace pragmatic development to overcome significant socioeconomic challenges.

His speech was delivered at the celebration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2025, held at the Tenom Murut Cultural Centre today.

Addressing a crowd that had gathered from across Sabah, Wences began by expressing his profound appreciation to the Tenom District Office and the Implementation Committee for their dedication in organising the successful event.

He clarified the origins of the day, stating, “The Annual International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples was originally initiated by the United Nations in 2007. The Momogun National Congress takes pride in being mandated to organise this celebration annually, and this year marks the third year that MNC has been the organiser.”

Highlighting MNC’s strategic approach, Wences explained the decision to rotate the host district annually. “Our tradition for the past three years has been to rotate the celebration from one district to another… This year, we have chosen the Tenom district… to allow the interior communities to participate and celebrate as well.”

A central pillar of the event, and of MNC’s mission, is the promotion of a unified identity. The President passionately advocated for the adoption of the "Momogun" name.

“We need a strong and inclusive name that encompasses all indigenous ethnicities so that we have a shared identity that truly unites us,” he declared, emphasising that the name serves as a collective for 36 ethnicities and over 200 sub-ethnicities in Sabah.

The celebration itself served as a platform for this mission, featuring a forum on indigenous rights, an expo with stalls from various ethnic associations, and a cultural performance competition designed to preserve traditional arts and customs.

However, Wences presented a sobering assessment of the challenges faced, marking a shift from celebration to a call to action. He was forthright in his evaluation, stating, “We must be frank that the greatest challenge for indigenous peoples in Sabah is the fact that we are still far behind in terms of development and sustainable economic achievement.”

In response to this challenge, he outlined a forward-thinking strategy for the MNC, revealing plans to establish a dedicated research and development (R&D) institution.

“We must establish a research and development institution that functions as the eyes and ears of MNC,” he said, “to ensure the direction of Momogun indigenous progress keeps pace with the world’s rapid changes in science and technology.” This move is intended to ensure energy is focused on future-proof initiatives and pragmatic planning.

Concluding with a powerful message of solidarity and self-reliance, the MNC President left the audience with a resonant question and a challenge.

“If not us, then who?” he asked. “Our struggle is not yet over, our journey is still long. However, with fighting spirit, cooperation, hard work, and pragmatic planning, we will surely achieve our shared aspirations.”

The event was graced and launched by Datuk Ewon Benedick, Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative.

During the event he said, "I am proud to see the commitment, dedication, and consistency of the MNC in championing indigenous identity and ensuring that the rights of the Orang Asal community continue to be upheld in line with the Constitution."

“This country belongs to all of us. The Orang Asal community also has an important role in shaping the nation’s future development. Let us work together to build the Federation of Malaysia into a better country by nurturing and instilling a strong sense of belonging in every citizen. "