Next in line for Huguan Siouship
Published on: Thursday, October 05, 2017
Penampang: Seven Kadazandusun leaders have been conferred the Bulawan Sigah – the second highest after that of Huguan Siou (paramount leader) – in the hierarchy of titles of the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA).They are said to have made outstanding contributions to their community and potentially in line to be the next Huguan Siou (Paramount Leader) of the Kadazandusun people, in the event the practice is continued.They are Datuk Seri Clarence Bongkos Malakun, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Tan Sri Dr Herman Luping, Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Gilong, Datuk Justin Stimol, Datuk Patrick @ Pat Michael and Datuk Richard Maning.
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Clarence, Dr Jeffrey, Herman and Abdul Ghani were conferred the title by the KDCA recently in recognition of their contributions to the association and the community, while Justin, Patrick and Richard received it last year.Justin, Patrick and Richard were awarded for their role and contributions as founding members of the Kadazan Cultural Association (KCA) together with Dominic Chu, Thaddeus Manson, Roger Dunstan and Francis Chu few decades ago. The group is also known as the Magnificent Seven. Dominic, Thaddeus, Roger and Francis were conferred posthumously.Only seven individuals are awarded the Bulawan Sigah title at any one time. The current seven completes the number of living individuals who hold the title at this point and replacement can only be done in the event of the death of a member or members."Only one of them will succeed the Huguan Siou when the time comes.
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"But still the selection of a successor is subject to endorsement by the Koisaan Delegates Conference of the KDCA," KDCA Secretary-General Datuk John Anthony said.However, he did not discount the possibility that delegates may favour a candidate who is not among the seven named for the Bulawan Sigah.
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The Article 20 (7) of the KDCA constitution states that the "Triennial Delegates Conference shall be vested with the power to confer the title of Huguan Siou to whom it shall think fit to succeed the title whenever the position falls vacant.'The title of Huguan Siou is held by 77-year-old Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is also KDCA President and a seasoned Sabah politician. He has been holding it since 1984. The title is held for life.Explaining further about the KDCA titles, John said there are seven of them which are the Huguan Siou, Bulawan Sigah, Tindarama (third class), Mogokounan (fourth class), Miontong (fifth class), Susukuon (sixth class) and Rindawan (seventh class).He said only the top three titles have been adopted by the 51-year-old KDCA so far, dating back to 2008 when its Central Committee agreed to confer the illustrious awards to outstanding Kadazandusun leaders for the exceptional services rendered to the association and community.Despite the committee's agreement, the first award conferment ceremony was only held in 2016 that saw the Magnificent Seven members being made Bulawan Sigah.A well-known ritual specialist (Bolungkitas) of the Kadazandusun Amman Siron Simbuna O.T. Tarantab was the only individual conferred with the third-class title of Tindarama that same year.But last week, he said, nine more outstanding Kadazandusun leaders have been conferred with the same title. Leading the list was Toh Puan Rahimah Stephens who were awarded in recognition of her supportive role as the spouse of the first Huguan Siou, Tun Fuad Stephens.The late Fuad was succeeded by the current title holder, Joseph Pairin.The rest of the recipients were Datuk Othman Minuddin, Datuk Mathius Majihi, Datuk Claudius Sundang Alex, Datuk William Chiuh, Dr Benedict Topin, Patrick Guritom and Rosenani Sogondu.Also awarded was Datin Nancy Mojuntin in recognition for her role in pioneering the Unduk Ngadau.Seven others were conferred with the same title posthumously. They were Datuk Ambrose Juin, Datuk Villson Malingka, Dunstan Dumpangol, George Hermes Mijin, Joseph Linold Mosusah and George Christianus Yapp. Also awarded posthumously was Binjulip Sigayun in recognition of being the leading 'Bohungkitas' who installed the current Huguan Siou in 1984.Another seven were conferred with the title Bulawan Sigah posthumously. They were Datuk Dr James Ongkili for being KCA patron, Datuk Fred Sinidol, Datuk Peter Mojuntin and Datuk Darius Binion, all of who had served as KCA president.The rest were Datuk Mark Koding, Datuk Clarence Mansul and Datuk KK Paul Baklin OT Gurandi.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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