PGS Champions Indigenous Language Preservation Through Collaboration with DBP Sabah

18 October 2025

TENOM: The Gana Association of Sabah (PGS) has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving Sabah’s indigenous languages by collaborating with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sabah, following the success of the recent Indigenous Language Documentation Workshop.

PGS President Julius Favianus @ Mohd. Hafiz expressed deep appreciation to DBP Sabah Deputy President I, Puan Julianah Kuli, and her team for their dedication and support in realising the initiative.

He said the workshop not only strengthened ongoing efforts to safeguard the linguistic heritage of Sabah’s ethnic communities but also created valuable opportunities for cooperation among various Murut and Dusun associations across the state.

“We deeply appreciate DBP Sabah’s commitment in helping ethnic communities preserve their linguistic identity. This workshop has opened new avenues for collaboration between PGS and fellow cultural associations,” he said in a statement.

Among the participating organisations were the Murut Nabai Association of Sabah, Murut Timugon Association of Sabah, Murut Paluan Association of Sabah, Murut Tangkala Association of Sabah, and Murut Okolod Association of Sabah.

Julius added that the workshop fostered a renewed sense of unity and kinship among participants.

“One introduction, one meeting, one bond of brotherhood — that’s what we felt. The connections formed here will not be easily forgotten,” he shared.

PGS expressed hope that similar indigenous language documentation initiatives would continue in the future as part of a wider effort to strengthen cultural identity and unity among Sabah’s diverse ethnic communities.