By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: The vibrant spirit of the Kaamatan and Gawai festivals will once again light up Kuala Lumpur, as the fourth edition of the Borneo Native Festival (BNF) will be held from May 23 to 25 at Pasar Seni.
Organised by Persatuan Sukaseni Kuala Lumpur, the annual event celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Sabah and Sarawak, while providing a platform for local entrepreneurs to showcase their crafts and culinary creations.
The festival is expected to feature 200 entrepreneurs, with projected sales of between RM200,000 and RM300,000 from more than 10,000 visitors.
This initiative is also part of a campaign to promote the Borneo states ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, while also highlighting Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025.
“We want to promote this programme to all our fellow Malaysians and tourists in the peninsula,” said BNF Director Raffy Syazwan Arpandi at a press conference at the Sabah International Convention Centre.
“Not everyone can take leave and go back for the celebrations. That’s why we are bringing the spirit of Sabah and Sarawak to Kuala Lumpur, so our brothers and sisters here don’t miss out,” he said.
The festival will run from 10am to 10pm daily, featuring cultural performances, food demonstrations, and traditional crafts, among others.
One of BNF’s core missions is to support and empower Bornean entrepreneurs.
The Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR), Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (Scenic), and the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) Sabah will be among the participants.
DIDR Economic Affairs Officer, Juinah Lipat, said that 12 entrepreneurs will be brought in, offering a range of products including handicraft, packaged food, and household items like linopot (rice wrapped in leaves) and lihing (traditional brewed wine), specifically catered to the Sabahan diaspora in the peninsula.
Scenic Assistant Manager, Shazreab Shah Saptu, highlighted their support for 11 social entrepreneurs who will showcase their products to the Kuala Lumpur market.
IDS Researcher, Paul Canigea, said that they are bringing two craftspeople, one specialising in banana fibre products, and the other in copperwork.
“We believe events like BNF provide invaluable exposure and networking opportunities, especially for those from districts like Kota Marudu, one of Sabah’s poorest areas,” said Paul.
Emerging singers from Sabah and Sarawak, including Dabra Sia and Alena Murang, will be among the performers.
One of the highlights includes a Sarawak’s cultural dance journey from TRX to KL Pavilion, ending at Pasar Seni.
