There is an uproar in Sabah over opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim being awarded the title of Huguan Siou (paramount leader) of the Kadazandusun community.

The title was bestowed to current PBS president Joseph Pairin Kitingan 28 years ago, and he was declared as paramount leader for life.

NONE United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) president Bernard Dompok ( right ) was quoted in the New Straits Times ( NST ) as saying that he does not want to comment on Anwar’s award, describing it as "a joke".

Sepanggar MP Eric Majimbun said Anwar should not have accepted the title as this shows his disrespect to the community, adding that he felt this was a mockery.

Sabah State Reform Party (Star) president Jeffrey Kitingan described the action of certain members of the Kadazandusun community to bestow such an award as only to get seats and support.

"How can they belittle this issue blatantly for the sake of political mileage? It’s a disgrace," Jeffrey was quoted as saying in the daily.

Upko information chief Donald Mojuntin said to bestow the title on someone from a different community was illogical.

"As far as I am concerned, Huguan Siou is a Kadazan concept. To bestow it on a non-Kadazan is somehow confusing the people and it can be an insult to the Kadazan community. It also rips at the fabric of unity that Sabahans are well-known for.

"How can there be a ' Huguan Siou Malaysia'? That would mean he (Anwar) is a paramount leader for the country and it is illogical," he told NST , adding that culture and tradition should never be used for political mileage.

Commenting on photographs of Anwar wearing a sash featuring the words Huguan Siou which have been posted on Facebook , Ranau division PKR chief Jonathan Yasin said it was merely a symbolic gesture.

"Who am I to stop any Kadazandusun individual from enthroning any person as 'Huguan Siou Malaysia'?" he asked.

NST in its editorial also commented that Anwar’s installation may cost the opposition dearly as the power to bestow such a title resides with the Kadazandusun Cultural Association, where the title of Huguan Siou is an institutionalised paramount leadership of the Kadazandusun community.

It is only given when the office of the Huguan Siou is vacated, following an extraordinary delegates conference to appoint one.