By Datuk Michael Malanjun
I wish to congratulate Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) for getting the highest ever budget allocation from the State Government to organize the State Level Kaamatan Festival, 2025.
The allocation of RM5.0 Million is the biggest ever allocation from the State Government.
The normal allocation from all previous years was only around RMI .5 to RM2 0 Million.
As Chairman of the MOC appointed by the State Cabinet, Dr. Jeffrey has shown his capability to bring the Kaamatan Festival the best ever and also lead the KDCA, if and when his eldest brother, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, decides to call it a day and let younger blood lead the KDCA to greater heights.
As Huguan Siou since 1984 (the past 40 years) it is high time for Tan Sri Pairin to pass the baton as the President of KDCA/formerly KCA since 1982.
The ‘First Huguan Siou, Tun Fuad (Donald) Stephens actually never held the position of President of KCA and he let other younger leaders like Datuk Fred Sinidol, Datuk Peter J. Mojuntin, Datuk Darius Binion and Datuk Clarence Mansul do the role of President of the Association which started in Penampang even before the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
In fact, KCA evolved from the works of the so-called Magnificent 7 all young people from Penampang, namely Justin Stimol, Richard Maning, Patrick Michael, Thaddeus Manson, Roger Dunstan and the two Chu brothers, Dominic and Francis Chu.
What is famously known as the “Magnificent 7″, they started what was previously known as the ‘Society of the Kadazan” which later came to be known as Kadazan Cultural Association until 1998, when Tan Sri Pairin moved to rename the Association as Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA).
However, he later moved to join the name Kadazan and Dusun together to become Kadazandusun.
However, the logo and official name of the Association is still KDCA when by right, it should have reverted back to the original “KCA” since Kadazandusun race has been joined together and there is no more Kadazan or Dusun race per se.
This is where the purist from the West Coast as well as the interior parts of Sabah like Tambunan, Ranau argue that Kadazandusun is an invented term and that one either should be a Kadazan or Dusun by race are no such race as Kadazandusun.
Dr. Jeffrey, a Havard doctorate graduate, should be allowed by Tan Sri Pairin to take over KDCA as its new President by virtue of his position as Deputy Chief Minister.
Dr. Jeffrey is a thinker and action oriented person who can lead KDCA better as demonstrated by the fact that he could influence the State Government to give RM5.0 Million allocation for the State Level Kaamatan, the highest ever allocation in the Kaamatan history since 1963.
Tan Sri Pairin will still be the “Huguan Siou” or Paramount Leader for as long as he lives because the appointment of the Huguan Siou is for the natural life of the person.
As a reward fo his role as past Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and President of KDCA for more than 40 years, may be the State Government can consider to recommend to the Prime Minister and Federal Government to award Pairin the title of Tun in recognition of his status as the Huguan Siou.
This is quite fitting since Tan Sri Pairin failed to be appointed as the TYT or Governor as some other non Head of States like the late Dr. Lim Chong Eu, Lim Leong Sik, Sammy Vello, Lim Keng Y aik were all awarded a Tunship.
A delegate from KDCA Kg. Padawan, Papar tried to raise the question why the Huguan Siou and president of KDCA is one and the same person and not two different persons since they have separate functions to perform.
The point raised by the Papar delegate was however rejected by the permanent Chairman as being out of point and not on the Agenda for discussion.
When and if Dr. Jeffrey succeeds to lead both STAR and PBS party into PBSTAR coalition, then he would have succeeded in uniting the KDMs together under one umbrella instead of a splintered grouping and neither here nor there in political strength in Sabah’s politics.
Dr. Jeffrey, as the Huguan Siou Lundu Mirongod or Paramount Leader and Thinker, is more suitable than Huguan Siou Tan Sri Joseph Pairin, who is perceived as one not so brave enough to strife for the betterment of his people and to fight for their rightful place under the Malaysian sun.
As the Huguan Siou Lundu Mirongod as well as the present Deputy Chief Minister 1, Dr. Jeffrey is the right person to take over the president of KDCA so that the KDMs will not be discriminated against nor side-lined from economic progress in Sabah.
Datuk Michael Malanjun
– Chairman KDCA Kg. Soboong/Boliga Branch, Penampang
– Central Committee Member
– Ex Vice President KDCA Pusat
