Observe Kaamatan as Mark of One's Success, Says Pairin
Thursday, 29 May 2003 (Source : Bernama)

KOTA KINABALU: Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) president Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan wants the Kadazandusun community to regard the Tadau Kaamatan Festival as a sign of their achievements.

Pairin, who is the "Huguan Siou" or paramount chief in the community, said Kaamatan would be more meaningful if the Kadazandusuns excelled in their specific field of work.

It was vital that one worked hard in the sector that he or she was in, he said.

"Now the Kadazandusun community is no longer made up of farmers but has progressed to produce entrepreneurs and officers in the public and private sectors."

He said this in his speech at the "Sodop Unduk Ngadau Koisaan" or Harvest Queen Gala Nite here Wednesday night.

Pairin also urged the Kadazandusun community to continue working hard to achieve their objectives.

On the Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant, the highlight of the harvest festival, Pairin said the contest was not held merely to choose beauty queens based on their physical attributes but also on their intelligence, personality, courage and mannerisms.