PENAMPANG: Penampang’s most recognisable landmark – the traditional headgear of the KadazanDusun community known as “Sigah” that sits on the roundabout in Donggongon – will be demolished to make way for a flyover.
District Officer Francis Chong said the flyover is to upgrade Jalan Donggongon- Tambunan from the ITCC to Jalan Datuk Panglima Banting.
However, a new one would be erected next to the Mazda dealer nearby.
Francis said some thought the Sigah structure would be translocated to its new site but actually it would be demolished.
Prior to the demolition, a ritual based on KadazanDusun customs and tradition would be carried out at the old site and new site on a road reserve area on Saturday.
“We appointed the Penampang Native Court with Sabah Bobolian Organisation as the implementator to conduct a ‘Mongimpi’ or ‘Mamason’ ritual for the Sigah relocation on its old site and its new site which is nearby.
“We have invited prominent leaders to witness the ceremony including Huguan Siou Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Deputy Chief Minister 1 Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey G. Kitiungan, Penampang MP Datuk Ewon Benedick, Moyog Assemblyman Datuk Darrel leiking, Kapayan Assemblywoman Jannie Lasimbang, Senator Datuk Noraini Idris, Senator Datuk John Ambrose, Bulawan Sigah Datuk Seri Clarence Bongkos Malakun and Kadazan Society of Sabah (KSS) President Datuk Marcel Leiking, starting at 10am at the old site and at 11am at the new site,” he said.
Due to calls by locals here who want the Sigah remain as the district’s icon, he said the new Sigah site would have parking facilities so that visitors and tourists can stop to visit and take photos of the large Sigah.
He said it would be a new landmark for Penampang and may become a tourist attraction upon completion.
He said building the new Sigah would begin together with the construction of the flyover that is tentatively to be completed in October, 2025.
