By WU VUIDE
KOTA BELUD: Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship and Transport Datuk Ewon Benedick said the Kaamatan Festival serves as an important platform to strengthen the spirit of cooperation and unity among the state’s multi-racial and multi-religious communities.
He said the spirit of cooperation and unity must continue to be strengthened as it remains a key pillar of Sabah’s harmonious society.
“These values have long been the strength of the people of Sabah in maintaining harmony, peace and stability.
“I appreciate the unity, cooperation and togetherness demonstrated by villagers in Kadamaian in making the Kaamatan celebrations a success in every village,” he said, while officiating at Kaamatan celebrations in the Kadamaian constituency.
Ewon, who is also the Kadamaian State Assemblyman, visited four villages holding Kaamatan celebrations, namely Kampung Piasau, Kampung Talungan, Kampung Terintidon and Kampung Sayap.
He said a total of 16 villages in the Kadamaian area held Kaamatan celebrations simultaneously on the same day.
“For the villages that I was unable to visit, I delegated my Political Secretary, Community Development Leaders (PPM) and Community Development Officers to attend, convey my greetings and represent me,” he said.
Meanwhile, he also presented several contributions through the State Assemblyman’s touchpoint allocation to support community needs and village development.
In Kampung Piasau, he handed over RM20,000 to the Kampung Piasau Farmers Welfare Association and RM5,000 to the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) for the installation of a water meter and the maintenance of the piping system at the village hall.
In Kampung Talungan, RM10,000 was allocated for the purchase of shared cooking equipment and repainting works at the village sepak takraw court.
In Kampung Terintidon, he presented RM10,000 for the procurement of gravity-fed water supply piping equipment, RM6,000 for the construction of a workshop for traditional parang-making, and RM4,000 for a community work programme to maintain agricultural roads.
Meanwhile, Kampung Sayap received RM10,000 for the purchase of chairs for use at the village hall.
In addition, Ewon agreed to provide allocations to upgrade the road leading to the cemetery, improve the open hall and build a pavilion at the village field.
Ewon (back right), with women selling woven baskets.
