Dusun cuisine a hit at Aidilfitri celebration
TAMBUNAN: More than 3,000 people of various races and religions attended the Hari Raya Aidilfitri menu ala Dusun Tambunan held at Pisompuruan Square here on Wednesday.
The event, which saw guests enjoying 24 types of dishes ala Dusun Tambunan food and entertainment, was attended by Deputy Chief Minister and Infrastructure Development Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and his wife Puan Sri Genevieve Kitingan, government leaders, heads of state and federal government departments, the business community, school students and community leaders.
Pairin said the Hari Raya Aidilfitri menu was not only to strengthen the relationship and brotherhood among the community here but also to introduce the menu available in this area.
“I have tasted and enjoyed all the dishes served today,” he said.
“I am so excited that the program is being worked not only by the committee but with the cooperation and understanding of all of us.
“To me, this Hari Raya Aidilfitri menu ala Dusun is a program that we can promote to attract tourists,” he said.
Pairin, who is also Keningau MP, said the program, which was held in conjunction with the Visit Tambunan Year (VTBN2017), was just the beginning and it should be continued for the benefit of the people in this area.
Pairin, who is also Tambunan assemblyman, requested the district administration, especially the District Officer, to provide seminars on the tourism industry so that the residents here could better understand the industry which could be a catalyst for growth of their economy.
Earlier in his speech, organizing chairman Jumain Abdul Ghani said the participation of the community was very encouraging.
He said there were 24 booths representing 22 villages in the district which had provided a varied menu of Dusun foods.
Jumain also suggested that the Hari Raya Aidilfitri menu ala Dusun be made as an annual event and proposed an additional 30 villages for the program.
Also present were Sabah Sports Board chairman Datuk Louis Rampas, Sabah Football Association (Safa) deputy president Datuk Lawrence Gimbang, deputy permanent secretary to the Ministry of Rural Development, Saulin Sanad, District Officer Thomas Logijin, district police chief DSP Ahmad Jawila, Assistant District Officer and chairman of the organizing committee, Jumain Abdul Ghani, political secretary to the Infrastructure Development Ministry, Welfredoline Jakil, Tambunan Community Development Leader Silverius Bruno and District Chief OKK Philip Datuk Kitingan.