Kuala Penyu district, famous for its traditional dish ‘ ambuyat ’ (gluey porridge made from sago starch), has been selected as the host for this year’s launch of the state-level Kaamatan Festival celebration on May 1.

Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan, in announcing this today, said the festival themed, ‘Love for Culture Spawns Caring Community’ would be held at Dewan Shahbandar Makang and was expected to be opened by Chief Minister Musa Aman.

“Kuala Penyu has already achieved 80 percent in its preparations for the celebration. Preparations for the district-level celebration have also begun, with Putatan the first district to organise the festival on May 5,” he told reporters after chairing the committee meeting in Kota Kinabalu today.

Pairin, who is Sabah State Kaamatan Festival Celebration Main Committee chairperson, said the theme this year was appropriate in fostering unity as Sabah was a role model for the 1Malaysia concept with regard to multiracial unity.

Pairin, who is also president of the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), said the climax of the state-level celebration would be at Penampang KDCA Hongkod Koisaan on May 30 and 31.

“Apart from traditional sporting events, Unduk Ngadau (beauty contest) and Sugandoi (singing competition), the festival will also highlight the culture of the seven sub-ethnic groups of Kadazandusun by the Sabah Museum,” he said.

- Bernama