TAMPARULI: Native leaders in Tamparuli are urged to unite in efforts to preserve customs and cultural heritage values so that they can be enjoyed by current and future generations.
State Rural Development Minister, Datuk Jahid Jahim, said cultural heritage of local communities, especially in Tenghilan needs to be protected due to the importance of its assets to the formation of history, traditions, practices and identity of a nation.
“The Native Court is a respected institution. We always want to ensure that our customs, especially in Tamparuli are always preserved,” he said when officiating the Piulungan Moginakan Native Court and Tenghilan Village Chiefs Programme at the Tenghilan Native Court building compound, near here, Sunday.
Jahid, who is also Tamparuli Assemblyman, said that the Native Court plays an important role in efforts to preserve customs and cultural heritage, because uniquely in every district in Sabah, they have their own identity, especially in matters of resolving native legal affairs.
“Let us ensure that the customs that exist in this State are known and become a source of reference not only to the local community but also abroad in the future,” he added.
He also urged the community to make racial and religious differences a uniqueness, to continue maintaining unity and diversity of backgrounds as among the assets of strength and uniqueness.
Throughout the programme, Jahid also visited and observed the conditions inside the court and was given a brief briefing about their shortages and needs at the Tenghilan Native Court building.
Earlier, the Organising Chairman who is also Tenghilan Native Chief, Selvis Gambar, said all Native leaders need to cooperate in ensuring that the administrative system related to communal customs in Tenghilan is more efficient.
He said the meeting session was the best platform for leaders and the community to exchange views and listen to issues arising.
