Published on: Monday, May 26, 2003 |
Tambunan: Keningau MP Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the Kadazandusun and Murut communities can play an important role towards realising national aspirations.
Mutual understanding of one anothers cultural and traditional sensitivities could greatly help enhance the countrys development process, particularly in tourism, productivity and peoples income, he added.
Pairin, who is also Tambunan Assemblyman, said this while launching the district-level Pesta Kaamatan celebration held in the open for the first time at the tamu ground here on Saturday.
This years celebration was held outside the usual multipurpose hall in response to the Health Departments advice as a precautionary measure against any possible outbreak of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
One of the immediate considerations by both communities should be focused on producing more quality handicraft that would not only attract tourist attention but also generate some income for them, he said.
Pairin also disclosed that a special body, Tambunan Tourism Organisation (Pertubuhan Pelancongan Tambunan), would soon be registered, aimed at developing places of interest as potential tourist destinations in the area.
He also hoped that the local people themselves would consider participating in the home-stay programme being promoted by the State Government to enable foreign tourists to sample the local lifestyle.
Also present were Pairins wife Datin Genevieve, Indonesian Consul-General Bapa Mohamed Sukarno, State Assembly Deputy Speaker Datuk James Vitalis, Bandau MP Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili and Bingkor Assemblyman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
