Azman praises KAJEBO efforts to preserve Borneo's cultural heritage

KENINGAU, 11 OCTOBER 2026 —

KUALA KENINGAU, 10 October 2026 – The Karnival Jiwa Etnik Borneo (KAJEBO) 2026 was inaugurated on Saturday with a three‑day programme that brought together cultural performances, sport, crafts and food under a banner of heritage preservation, an event praised by Datuk Azman Haji Ruslan, chairman of Sabah NET Sdn Bhd and head of the Sabah division of Parti Gagasan Rakyat (PGRS).

The organisers framed the festival as a bulwark against the erosion of Borneo’s diverse customs, arguing that the rapid pace of urbanisation and digitalisation threatens the transmission of language, ritual and artisanal knowledge to younger generations.

By foregrounding the region’s intangible heritage, KAJEBO aims to embed cultural continuity into the social fabric of Sabah and the broader Malaysian Borneo, ensuring that the distinctive practices of the Dayak, Kadazan‑Dusun, Murut and other indigenous groups remain vibrant rather than becoming museum pieces.

Azman, speaking to reporters after the ribbon‑cutting, underscored the strategic importance of such community‑led events. “The initiative is essential for ensuring that the cultural wealth of Borneo is inherited by future generations, thereby preventing its unique attributes from being eroded by the tides of change,” he said, adding that the carnival’s inclusive format offers a platform for both rural and urban participants to showcase their heritage.

His dual role as a corporate leader and a political figure gave the remarks added weight, signalling cross‑sectoral support for cultural policy in the state.

In a separate statement, Azman, identified in the programme as the Ketua Bahagian Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah Keningau, reiterated his endorsement of the carnival’s objectives. “Efforts like KAJEBO are pure and highly meaningful in ensuring that the unique culture, customs, and traditions of Borneo's communities are preserved and passed down to future generations,” he said during the inauguration.

The comment echoed the sentiment that cultural stewardship is a collective responsibility, linking the festival’s activities directly to the preservation of identity and communal pride.

The three‑day schedule featured a blend of charitable, artistic and athletic events designed to appeal to a broad audience. The opening day began with the Showcase Amal KAJEBO, a charity drive that paired traditional performances with fundraising for local community projects.

This was followed by the Santai Budaya Borneo, a relaxed cultural showcase where tribal dances, music ensembles and storytelling sessions were staged on an open‑air pavilion, inviting spectators to experience the rhythms and narratives that have shaped Borneo’s social landscape for centuries.

Day two highlighted national sport and beauty, commencing with the Hari Sukan Negara celebration that saw local athletes compete in sepak takraw, silat and traditional boat races, reinforcing the link between physical prowess and cultural expression. The Miss National Cultural Malaysia pageant, run in parallel, selected representatives who embodied both aesthetic grace and deep knowledge of their ethnic heritage, thereby promoting cultural literacy alongside visual appeal.

The afternoon featured a Traditional Food Bazaar where vendors offered dishes such as ambuyat, hinava and bambangan, allowing visitors to taste the culinary signatures of the peninsula’s interior and coastal communities.

The final day culminated in a craft exhibition that displayed hand‑woven textiles, beadwork, wooden carvings and bamboo instruments crafted by local artisans. Organisers emphasized that the exhibition not only provided market exposure for creators but also served as an educational conduit, illustrating the techniques and symbolism embedded in each piece.

Throughout the carnival, interactive workshops invited participants to try their hand at batik printing, rattan weaving and traditional drum making, fostering hands‑on appreciation of skills that are often transmitted through apprenticeship rather than formal schooling.

Among the dignitaries present were Christine Tiffany Charles Lohindun, Assistant District Officer (Administration) for Keningau, who represented the state civil service; Daniel, the Naib Ketua Pemuda Gagasan Rakyat Keningau, who highlighted the youth wing’s role in cultural advocacy; and Syahril Amin, the chairman of the KAJEBO 2026 organising committee, who coordinated the logistics of the multi‑venue programme.

Their collective presence underscored the collaborative nature of the event, bridging government, political, and community sectors in a shared mission to reinforce Borneo’s cultural identity.

Azman concluded his remarks by urging that programmes such as KAJEBO be institutionalised as annual fixtures, noting that sustained exposure is vital for embedding heritage appreciation in the consciousness of the region’s youth.

“That kind of program not only raises public awareness, especially among the youth, but also fosters appreciation for cultural heritage as a symbol of identity and pride for the Borneo community.” he said, calling for continued investment in cultural festivals as a means of nurturing a sense of belonging that can withstand the homogenising forces of globalisation.

With the curtain set to fall on the 2026 edition, organisers signalled their intent to build on the momentum generated, aiming to expand the carnival’s reach in subsequent years and to deepen its role as a catalyst for cultural resilience across Sabah and the wider Borneo archipelago.

Related: Keningau