KDMs urged to speak their mother tongue more often

Ranau: Language usage does not determine one's thinking quality, said United Sabah Dusun Association (Usda) President Datuk Ewon Ebin.He said, any language such as English, Malay, Chinese and Kadazandusun, among others does not limit the way people think.

"Even though English is recognized internationally,the thinking level of us who use Malay, Kadazandusun, Bajau, Murut and others are not confined from looking forward.

"For example, the Japanese, Germans, Chinese and Koreans use their own language but they can succeed in any field," he said during the launching of Kg Kibbas and Kg Kokob Kaamatan Festival celebration.

As such, Ewon urged the Kadazandusun and Murut community to use their native language to ensure the continuity of the community.

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"In conjunction with Kaamatan Festival being celebrated in May, we should make this month as Kadazandusun Murut language month.

"I realise that most young generation are not keen on speaking their native language but I urged the community to think positively and continue using their languages.

"It is left for us to preserve it and if such situation persists then it is not impossible that the Kadazandusun language will cease to exist in the next 50 years," he said.

According to him, Usda is in the process of finalising a compilation of a Dusun language dictionary.

During the event, Ewon also visited St Augustine's Church which was damaged due to the earthquake that hit Ranau last year and he has approved an allocation of RM17,000 to repair it.

Ewon also allocated RM15,000 to purchase water tanks for villagers and another RM5,000 to build a hut for the nearby school's Parents and Teachers Association.

In Kg Kokob, Ewon has allocated RM5,000 to purchase sports equipment for the village's youth as well as RM1,000 for traditional dancers from SK Libang who were selected to compete in a State level competition.

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He also received about 250 new membership forms for Usda from three villages, namely Kg Kokob, Kg Libang and Kg Marakau.

Also present were Karanaan PBS Chief Danis Buik, Political Secretary to the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, Datuk Amisah Yassin, Parliamentary Liaison Chief Officer Johnny Samin and Parliamentary Special Officer Japirin Sahadi, among others.

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