PUTATAN: Datuk Jamdin Buyong has been named the Maal Hijrah Personality of Putatan District 1448H/2026M.
His significant contributions in the fields of language, literature, history, broadcasting, culture, public administration, and the development of the Muslim community in Sabah earned him the recognition as the recipient of the Putatan District Maal Hijrah Personality Award 1448H/2026M.
The recognition was presented by the State Legislative Assemblyman (ADUN) for Tanjung Keramat, Shah Alfie Yahya, in conjunction with the Putatan District Maal Hijrah 1448H/2026M celebration held at Dewan Sri Putatan.
Jamdin expressed his gratitude for the recognition, especially as it came from his own home district.
“I am truly grateful, Alhamdulillah. Although I previously received the Special Maal Hijrah Award at the state level in 2016, this recognition from my own birthplace is especially meaningful to me.
“The Maal Hijrah celebration is not merely about commemorating the migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Mecca to Medina, but also carries a broader message about transforming life values towards betterment.
“Today, hijrah is no longer simply about moving from one place to another, but about migrating in terms of mindset, values, and community development,” he said when met by the media after the ceremony.
He added that the concept of hijrah is closely linked to the building of civilisation and a madani society, which not only emphasises material development but also spiritual growth and human well-being.
“If rural communities also enjoy basic facilities such as electricity, water supply, and good infrastructure, that is part of what defines a civilised and madani society as required under the concept of hijrah,” Jamdin explained.
Throughout his career, he has held various important positions including Director of the Sabah State Islamic Affairs Department (Jheains), Secretary of the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (MUIS), Director of the Sabah Museum, and Member of the Election Commission (EC) of Malaysia.
