MESSAGE BY Y.A.B DATUK SERI PANGLIMA MUSA HAJI AMAN

CHIEF MINISTER OF SABAH IN CONJUNCTION WITH

THE HARVEST FESTIVAL CELEBRATION 2008

On behalf of my wife and our family, I would like to take this opportunity to wish a very happy “Kotobian Tadau Tagayo Do Kaamatan 2008” to the Kadazandusun and Murut communities. I also wish to record my heartfelt appreciation to all Malaysians in Sabah who have taken the initiative to join in to celebrate this occasion in peace and harmony.

I am grateful and I feel glad that the Harvest Festival is celebrated every year by all levels of society in Sabah, regardless of political, religious or ethnic differences. These factors have made it possible for the Harvest Festival to be celebrated at national level, allowing Malaysians of other races to share in the joy of the festivity. Similar to other celebrations, the Harvest Festival is an opportune time to encourage goodwill and understanding in a multi-racial society.

I am also happy to note that the Harvest Festival has become and remains a tourist attraction for the unique culture showcased at the celebration. The Sabah Government realises that by promoting the Harvest Festival as a national celebration, it will attract more foreign visitors to Malaysia and to Sabah. It is also part and parcel of the Government’s effort to ensure the success of development programmes, including the State’s Development Agenda or Halatuju, and the Sabah Development Corridor.

The Harvest Festival is celebrated to show appreciation for the harvest of our farmers. The Government is aware of the importance and potential of farmers in the state and for that, we will do our best to make sure that farmers are given an opportunity to participate actively in all economic developments, especially programmes to further develop the agriculture sector.

The Government will continue to provide the necessary aid to farmers and the people in general to improve their livelihoods. The Government is committed in increasing the standard of living of the people, regardless of their racial, religious and social backgrounds. To achieve this, the Government needs the cooperation of the people to work together in developing Sabah as this will benefit us all.

Today, the Harvest Festival has a wider role in line with current demands. The theme chosen for the celebration this year, “Peace Through Culture” reflects how the Harvest Festival is a platform for the Government to achieve its development agendas which includes creating a united society that lives in peace and harmony. The Harvest Festival is also an avenue to strengthen racial integration which has become an important asset for unity that we see in the country.

In conjunction with the Harvest Festival 2008, I take this opportunity to call on all Malaysians in Sabah to continue upholding unity and harmony that we enjoy today. By doing so, we will be able to continue living in a nation that is peaceful and one that keeps on moving forward towards progress. I am confident that we will can carry on with efforts to protect unity and harmony in our quest for further development.

On that note, on behalf of the Sabah Government and my family, I once again wish all Malaysians “Kotobian Tadau Tagayo Do Kaamatan”.