KENINGAU: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said that the cultural activities of the local people contribute to the economy development and create job opportunities to help raise their living standard.
“I believe if it is pursued in earnest, income through this activity can benefit, especially during the festive season,”he said when opening the district-level Kaamatan Festival held at the community hall here yesterday.
He said the opportunity is always open to the people to boost the economy and creating jobs through art and cultural activities such as traditional food, dance and traditional tools, including handicrafts.
Pairin said the Kaamatan festival season can attract many tourists to come to the state, including the Interior areas, to witness the beauty of the art and culture of the local people.
He said that local goods are also assets that have grown and can be displayed as a tourist attraction.
“What is available to us is the unique skills inherited from our ancestors. Therefore, it should be continued to ensure that this tradition is not lost in effort for economic development of the people here.
“The government, through its transformation efforts, created lots of beneficial opportunities for the people, especially to explore the field of tourism which can generate economic growth through the abundance of natural resources that do not require capital,” he said.
Pairin added the government would ensure producing traditional products is more profitable and for the proceeds of the sale to be enjoyed by the people by improving their productivity and ensuring their future well-being.
He also urged the youth to participate in this festival by taking part in performing arts and cultural activities and to continue this traditional heritage left by their ancestors so that it does not become extinct in the modern world.
Pairin also warned the people to be prepared and take measures to overcome the effects of the El Nino that is expected to occur within the next six months.