Kaamatan Festival Remains Important and Relevant For Unity

Sabah celebrates the monthlong traditional Harvest Festival in May every year and the celebration culminates on 31 May. The Kaamatan Festival, its local name, remains an important platform among Sabahans to strengthen unity, foster a sense of togetherness and bolster ties among the communities and to uphold the rich cultural and heritage of local communities. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor echoed the sentiment on the occasion each year.

Our local traditional celebrations always enhance unity among the multi-racial communities. Let us continue to nurture the values of togetherness, mutual respect and cooperation as one big family. This year’s celebration theme, “Kaamatan: Harvesting Unity, Celebrating Harmony”, reflects our priority to preserve unity and political stability,” Hajiji said at the Tuaran district-level Kaamatan Festival celebration on 9 May 2026 at Tuaran. “

With continued political stability, the State’s economic initiatives under the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya or SMJ 2.0 platform will bring greater successes, Hajiji added. The SMJ economic agenda – focusing on key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, industry, the digital economy, and human capital development – is a continuation of the successes of SMJ 1.0 from Hajiji’s first term in office. The Chief Minister believes that the people, regardless of race and religion, would continue to support the Government to fast-track economic development.

Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, delivered the CM’s speech.