Development to be intensified after Sook upgrade
Published on: Wednesday, May 29, 2024
By: Marutin Ansiung
Ellron (second left) together with Flovia (second right) and Caroline harvesting paddy in a symbolic gesture of officiating Sook Kaamatan Festival.
SOOK: Development in this district will continue to intensify when the upgrade to a full district is announced in the near future.
Sook Assemblyman Datuk Ellron Angin said the upgrade by the State Government expected this year certainly brings good news to the people of Sook.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We hope that with this gazette, it will make it easier for rural communities to get efficient and effective government services and further increase the reach of state and federal government services in Sook,” he said.
In line with the process of upgrading Sook to a full district developments would continue to be intensified, said the State Youth and Sports Minister when officiating the Sook District-level Kaamatan Festival at the community hall, here, on Sunday.
“One of the main things that needs to be improved is the existing health clinic buildings. So far, three of the four clinics in Sook, namely Sook Clinic, Marapok Clinic and Karamatoi Clinic are in the process of being upgraded to concrete buildings.
“The Tulid Clinic has been completed and is in operation while the allocation for the Mansiat Clinic which was destroyed by fire in 2022 has been approved and is now in the procurement phase,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
In addition, he said, the proposed construction of the Sook Special Needs Children’s Educational Park (TDKKU) had to be given attention and guidance.
He said TDKKU would become the main centre for the placement of disabled children.
ADVERTISEMENT
At the same time, Ellron was confident that after this, more development would continue to be created in Sook to meet the needs Sook residents.
He said Sook has great potential because of its strategic road location between Nabawan to Keningau and Tongod to Keningau.
“Gazetteing Sook as a full district is one of my wishes and missions to facilitate the people of Sook to continue to have access to a more efficient and effective government services in line with the aspirations of Sabah Maju Jaya,” added Ellron.
Therefore, he urged Sook folks to support whatever development agenda being brought by the government for the well-being and progress of the interior community.
“Let’s keep working hard for Sook,” Ellron said, congratulating organisers for the Kaamatan Festival.
“Hopefully, having the Kaamatan festival at this sub-district and district level, their understanding and unity will strengthen as we continue to celebrate our heritage and culture and be inherited by future generations,” he said.
He described the theme for this year’s Kaamatan Festival “Kaamatan Beyond Food Security” as apt because security issues of food and the true meaning of Kaamatan are closely related.
“Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor during the launch of the State Level Kaamatan Festival celebration in Ranau early this month, this year’s theme coincides with the myth and objective of the Kaamatan festival itself,” Ellron said.
Ellron said Sook festival this time is quite different from previous years.
“This is because for the first time, the Kaamatan Festival is celebrated first at the sub-district level in the Sook constituency involving Sook, Tiulon, Ansip, Dalit and Tulid constituency involving Tulid, Lanas, Menawo and Seberang sub-districts before going to the climax of Kaamatan Festival at Sook Sub-District level that we celebrate today,” he said.
He said organising this festival as such is important in addition to the significant role of empowering the customs and cultural traditions of the Kadazan Dusun Murut and Rungus (KDMR).
“Community leaders will meet together at large events such as the Kaamatan Festival.
“People at the grassroots level feel the atmosphere of Kaamatan through the involvement of organised competitions such as Unduk Ngadau, Sugandoi and traditional sports.
“This indirectly nurtures the people to delve more deeply into the true meaning of the Kaamatan Festival, especially among young people,” he said.
Also present were the Tulid Assemblywoman, who is also Assistant Minister of Community Development and People’s Well-being Datuk Flovia Ng, Sook Sub-District Officer Caroline Benjamin Jiungan, heads of departments and community leaders.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
.jpg)
.jpg)
