TAMBUNAN: The Kaamatan Festival is no longer just a celebration of culture and the harvest season, but has instead grown to be a symbol of unity among the people of various races as well as a catalyst for the state’s economy and tourism.
Chairman of the Main Committee for the Implementation and Coordination of the Tambunan Kaamatan Festival 2026 Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said this year’s theme, “Reap Unity, Celebrate Harmony”, is in line with the needs of today’s society which needs to be further strengthened with a spirit of mutual respect and acceptance of differences.
Speaking at the opening of the Tambunan District Kaamatan Festival at the Pisompuruan Hall recently, he said unity does not come by itself. It needs to be built through mutual respect, mutual help and understanding of each other.
According to Jeffrey, Tambunan has long been known as a district with a strong spirit of unity despite having gone through a history of disputes among community groups before finally being resolved peacefully, which is now immortalized through a memorial monument in the grounds of Dewan Pisompuruan.
He said Kaamatan now also plays an important role as an economic and tourism platform through the promotion of culture, traditional food, handicrafts and local products that help introduce Sabah’s identity to the younger generation and foreign visitors.
He said that the Kaamatan celebration in Tambunan is estimated to generate about RM2 million in the local economic cycle, while at the state level it can contribute up to RM560 million based on the economic multiplier effect.
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Jeffrey who is also the Keningau MP and Tambunan Assemblyman also expressed pride that Kaamatan is now celebrated not only in Sabah and Malaysia, but has also expanded internationally including in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia.
As Chairman of the Sabah Agricultural Marketing Board (SAMA), he said Tambunan has great potential in the tourism sector and community economy through the uniqueness of its natural environment, culture and local products.
According to him, various development projects will continue to be strengthened, including the improvement of rural roads, basic village facilities, tourism facilities and agricultural infrastructure, in addition to paying attention to youth development, education and economic opportunities for the community.
He said the elected representatives will also continue to give awards of excellence to students and youth who achieve success every year as an effort to encourage the younger generation to continue to excel.
Jeffrey also invited the public to visit traditional houses in the mukim around Tambunan to experience for themselves the atmosphere of Kaamatan, which still maintains the customs and cultural heritage of its ancestors.
Among the tourist locations highlighted were the Rafflesia Information Centre, Mahua Waterfall, Kawang-Kawang Canyon and the Bird Watching Stations in Alab and Trusmadi.
He hoped that the Kaamatan celebration would continue to be a platform to strengthen community ties in line with this year’s celebration theme, “Reaping Unity, Celebrating Harmony”.
