CM graces Goong family reunion
KENINGAU: Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Haji Aman attended the Aki Goong Family Day Assembly at the Sabah Handicraft Center here on Saturday and gave some choice advice to the Goong family on maintaining their good name and history.
“This is important because in doing good, this family institution becomes stronger, harmonious, happy, peaceful and prosperous at all times,” he said in his opening speech.
More than 3,000 members of this family including Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Haji Aman, Deputy Chief Minister and Infrastructure Development Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Radin Malleh, Coordinating Committee chairman Jainus Lian, assistant ministers, heads of government departments and community leaders attended the event.
“I am Musa Aman, my mother is Paah, Paah is the daughter of Yahya and Yahya was the son of Goong, that’s why I am Goong.
“E Aki mamangkala. E Odu maya baya. Akai Nopo Mayan O Gana. Sayat Intad E Aki Yahya,” Musa said, which translates to, “Aki (great-great grandfather) install fish catcher (bangkala), Odu (greatgreat grandmother) come along, we are the Gana people. Origin of Aki Yahya clumps).”
“This family meeting is the first time that we can get to know each other, all our family members.
“I am grateful and happy to see that our family’s spirit has continued going strong, although this family has grown from generation to generation,” he said.
Musa said the meeting also provided opportunities and space for them to learn their history and background and thus, bring the family closer together.
This could also strengthen the sense of brotherhood and friendship among family members, he added.
According to Musa, this was in line with the theme of the Family Day, the ‘Family Union Cohesive Unity’, or the ‘Pountingan PonsuSuladan Koingkatan Sinayatan’.
“As a great family, we need to remain united and the most important thing is to always keep the good name of the family alive, wherever we are.
“Such an event can also equally protect and cherish our culture in order not to banish them to the ages. We also hold an exhibition on traditional cultural dresses and traditional food during this gathering,” he said.
Musa stressed that this was very important to show the younger generation the value of the tribe’s cultural treasures.