Rungus has many interesting stories to tell: Ongkili

Ongkili calls for the native’s history and cultures be documented

Ongkili (6th right) with presenters in the seminar, Adzis and Asmiah

MATUNGGONG, Oct 22, 2016: A senior politician today called for the documentation of the indigenous people’s historical and cultural values, for the good of the country and future generations.

Describing both the natives’ histories and cultures as ‘national treasures’, the Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said these elements are invaluable and should be protected.

“Learning the indigenous people’s history and cultures is more than just knowledge acquisition; these are our valuable treasures that cannot be measured with money or gold.

“It is our pride and identity; a story that should be shared to the world,” he said to 100 participants attending the Regional Ethnic Writers Seminar 2016 at SMK Matunggong, Kudat.

He noted that communities with very strong culture backgrounds, such as the Rungus tribe here, are the living examples of people with so many interesting stories to tell.

“These values were passed down to the young, a culture practised by their ancestors. Unfortunately, very little of their interesting practises were documented,” he lamented.

Ongkili who is also Deputy President of Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), therefore, encouraged writers and researchers to carry out studies on the local communities in Sabah, to uncover and document their beautiful wonders, including their languages, customary rules, and the ancestral stories.

“We must document all these into a book before it is gone with modernisation,” said Ongkili, who is also the Kota Marudu Member of Parliament, adding that it can be the country’s best asset for tourism industry.

He stressed that tourists are thronging Matunggong and Kudat to visit the longhouses, and many chose to get closer to the community by living with locals in the area, through the homestay programme.

On another development, in commending the Native Writers Association of Malaysia or Persatuan Penulis Momogun Malaysia (Momogunsia) for organising the event, he said such programme should be organised often to attract youngsters, both locals and abroad, so they can take part in preserving the indigenous communities’ cultures and histories.

The event came about following a discussion between Ongkili and several enthusiasts’ local writers on the importance of preserving the natives’ historical and cultural elements in 2011, followed by the first seminar the same year.

Following the success of the first seminar, Momogunsia decided to hold another one, this time inviting foreign participants from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Philippines, besides local writers from Malaysia.

Also present, Directori General of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Datuk Haji Adzis Abas and Sabah Branch DBP Director, Hajah Asmiah Hj Ajamain.

Some of participants in the seminar