Sabahans displeased over loud music from Kaamatan festival site

KOTA KINABALU: In May every year, Sabahans celebrate the harvest festival known as Pesta Kaamatan.

It is a month-long celebration with festivals lined up in all districts in Sabah, with the grandest at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) compound in Penampang near here.

However, those who live near the KDCA are annoyed by the loud music and activities surrounding the food and beverage stalls that go on till the wee hours of the morning throughout the month.

Sabahans have taken to social media, including Facebook, to vent their frustrations, urging businesses to be more considerate to residents.

A Facebook posting by the Penampang Bulletin, which also shared the post from a user, showed a message that read “at 7.30am, KDCA (is) still blasting music.”

The post continues to say, “those people in there have no jobs as they can party till morning”.

“KDCA really needs to consider and look into the loud blasting of music till sunrise, it’s 7am, for God’s sake!’ it said.

User Glenda Robert said these matters should not be ignored just because Kaamatan is celebrated just once a year.

“I don’t mind the stalls being open 24 hours but blasting music till morning is so inconsiderate,” she said.

She said even if the businesses want to continue playing music and allow patrons to sing till morning, they should at least turn down the volume.

Tom Bee Ruo said “can’t even sleep properly. Please KDCA send a circular to turn down the volume of music after midnight.”

“Respect your neighbours, do not be selfish and think too much about making money,” he added.

Some are complaining that the loud music affects babies and children who need to go to school the next day.

But there were also others who called on Sabahans to loosen up as KDCA only comes alive once a year.

KDCA vice-president Datuk Daniel Kinsik, who is also the state Kaamatan main implementing and coordinating committee chairman, said they were aware of the complaints, and action is being taken to address the matter.

“Our management is taking action to ensure that the closing time is adhered to strictly,” he said.

The offer letter to businesses states that they can operate from 8am to 1.30am daily.

Business operators, on the other hand, countered the attacks, saying people should be used to the music and traffic congestion by now.

“It is like this every year, so I think they should have gotten used to it by now,” said one businessman.

Another said they had no choice but to continue letting patrons eat and drink as they needed the money to pay for the stall rental which can be up to RM10,000 or more depending on its size.