KSS disagrees with ‘Momogun’ categorisation

KOTA KINABALU: Kadazan Society Sabah (KSS) does not agree to categorise all the indigenous communities in Sabah as ‘Momogun’.

Its deputy president, Datuk Albert F. Tokuzip, said it is a mere assumption that the Dusunic, Murutic and Paitanicindigenous community in Sabah have consented that their ethnic identities to be categorized under a generic identity Momogun.

He said the ‘community’s aspiration’ as claimed is misleading.

Albert was responding to Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri president Datuk Henrynus Amin who reportedly said that “the use of ‘Momogun’ as a national identity is gaining traction and there is an urgent need for dialogue with stakeholders at both State and Federal levels.

Henrynus had also praised United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO) President Datuk Ewon Benedict for advocating the use of the term ‘Momogun’ to collectively represent the Dusunic, Murutic and Paitanicindigenous community in Sabah.

At the recent State Legislative Assembly, Ewon highlighted the community’s aspiration to be officially recognised under a common classification instead of the acronym “KDMRS.”

“To the best of our knowledge a referendum or at least a survey by reputable research survey of public opinion has not been conducted.

“We at Kadazan Society Sabah (KSS) had stated the Kadazan community’s objection to the use of ‘Momogun’ as the common classification as early as on 30 November 2016,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

KSS constitution states that the status of the Kadazan Society Sabah is apolitical.

KSS members come from various political affiliations of both political divide. It is expressed clearly in its constitution under Article 18: Vacation of Office which states:

18.1 Any member of the Supreme Council is deemed to have vacated his office:18.1.1 upon contesting as a candidate for the position of State Assemblyman or Member of Parliament;

18.1.2 upon being elected / appointed to hold any political post or position in any registered political parties in Malaysia.

Albert said the Kadazan community has been recognized by the Federal Government as one of the founding community partners in gaining independence of North Borneo now Sabah and the formation of Malaysia on 31 August 1963 and on 16 September 1963 respectively.

“We have our history, religion, language, culture, tradition, customs and native customary laws ‘adat’.

Albert said Kaamatan is just around the corner and the propagation of a generic identity does not augur well for our peace-loving people more so when the Prime Minister had recently cautioned on the sensitivities of 3R.

Ewon who is Kadamaian assemblyman, suggested that “Momogun” be used to replace “Others” in official government forms.

He also proposed that the Sabah Government gather the indigenous ethnic groups in Sabah under the Momogun category, and then use it to replace the ‘Others’ section in official government forms.

The Rungus Cultural Association fully supported using the broader classification of Momogun to reflect the Sabah indigenous communities’ contributions to the state.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan still prefers the natives in Borneo island to be identified as ‘Dayak’.

He explained that the term Dayak serves as a singular identification for Borneo’s indigenous people and is widely accepted in neighbouring regions like Sarawak and Indonesia’s Kalimantan.

“The term Dayak is widely recognised in Sarawak and Kalimantan, having been used since the 1600s to describe the diverse indigenous groups of Borneo.

“So I would prefer promoting Dayak as Borneo’s identity. All are Dayaks ... there are Dusun Dayaks, Murut Dayaks. This could serve as a collective identity for Borneo.

“Maybe we should go beyond ‘momogun’, because only then would we be seen as having significant numbers,” he said.

He said many tribes in Sarawak had initially opposed the term, but eventually embraced it when they realised that they could maintain their distinct identities.

“You will not lose your ethnic identities, but for a collective Borneo identity, you should refer to yourself as such (Dayak),” he said.