Sabah Government Will Not Tolerate Insults To Cultural Heritage, Says Musa

"Mengomot" cutting of the padi

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- The Sabah government will not tolerate insults to cultural heritage, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.
"I am compelled to publicly criticise the ignorant and irresponsible parties behind the blog post that has insulted the Sumazau dance that is very much a part of Sabah's rich cultural heritage."We in Sabah are proud of our cultural diversity. We are home to 32 different ethnic groups, each with its own unique identity. Though different from each other and with different backgrounds and religious beliefs, there has always been above it all, respect," he said in a statement, here, today.Musa said every culture had its own identity, steeped in tradition and history, and the Sumazau was no different as the dance had its own distinctive meaning."It is also for all occasions and for everybody. Modern day Sabah is known around the world as a vibrant melting pot of cultures."Our people are peace loving and harmonious. Many families, my own included, have members that are of different races and religions.We are like one big family here in Sabah," he said.As chief minister tasked with the responsibility of leading the state, Musa said his administration "works hard to ensure this precious peace and racial harmony is protected and safeguarded"."Such preservation is vital to developing Sabah and steering our homeland to a brighter future for our children."I join the outrage voiced by the people of Sabah against any slur to our culture by irresponsible parties with selfish or malicious agendas," he said.Musa said the state government would not tolerate such disrespect "for our cultural values, and those who have no respect for our cultural values are not welcome here".-- BERNAMA

Source: News online Bernama