Malaysia

Sabah’s ethnic diversity needs to be honoured: Hajiji

About 30 ethnicities, 200 subethnicities in state need to be preserved, says chief minister

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 21 Aug 2022 6:46PM

Sabah’s ethnic diversity needs to be honoured: Hajiji — Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (third from right), who is also PRBSS president, says the cultural centre would contribute to the pride and sociocultural progress of the Bajau Sama ethnic group in the state. – Bernama pic, August 21, 2022

TUARAN – The diversity of ethnic groups found in Sabah needs to be honoured and preserved as a cultural heritage for future generations, said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

He said there were about 30 ethnicities and 200 subethnicities in Sabah that needed to be preserved, especially in efforts to promote their respective cultures.

“This is one of the initiatives under the Sabah Maju Jaya blueprint,” he told reporters after inaugurating the Rumpun Bajau Sama Sabah Association (PRBSS) Cultural Centre at Kg Lok Batik here today.

Also present were Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee and former Sabah chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman.

Earlier in his speech, Hajiji, who is also PRBSS president, said the cultural centre would contribute to the pride and sociocultural progress of the Bajau Sama ethnic group in the state.

The Sulaman assemblyman said the centre was built over 1.42ha of land and the project was completed in July with an allocation of RM7.5 million.

He said Musa had approved the construction of the cultural centre during his tenure as chief minister, and the groundbreaking ceremony was held in 2017.

So far PRBSS has 17 branches, namely in Tuaran, Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Kota Belud, Tenghilan, Tamparuli, Kuala Menggatal, Kota Kinabalu, Petagas, Papar, Kuala Penyu, Pulau Banggi, Beluran, Sandakan, Tawau and Semporna. – Bernama, August 21, 2022