PENAMPANG: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is expected to return during the highlight of the Harvest Festival 2026 celebration on May 30.
Deputy Chief Minister cum Works and Utilities Minister Joachim Gunsalam said the presence of the Prime Minister, alongside Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Musa Aman on May 31, would further enliven the state-level celebration at the Kompleks Persatuan Kebudayaan Kadazandusun (KDCA).
He added that the festival would introduce several new initiatives this year, including shuttle bus services, information counters and upgraded facilities, aimed at enhancing the overall visitor experience and ensuring smooth organisation throughout the month-long celebration in May.
“The official launch of the Kaamatan festival will be held on May 1 in Papar, while the highlight of the celebration will take place on May 30 and 31 at KDCA,” he said at a press conference at Dewan Hongkod Koisaan on Tuesday.
Joachim said Kaamatan celebrations would also be held at district and sub-district levels, as well as in other locations including Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Pulau Pinang and Kuching, bringing together the Kadazandusun community outside Sabah.
Among the new initiatives is the introduction of Kaamatan Information Counters, which will operate from May 15 to 31 to assist visitors in obtaining programme schedules and information on Sabah’s diverse ethnic cultures.
Shuttle bus services will also be provided on May 30 and 31, covering the KDCA–IMAGO and Suria Sabah–KDCA routes to ease visitor movement, reduce traffic congestion and address parking issues in the KDCA area.
“To address limited capacity inside the KDCA hall, additional LED screens will be installed at the rear of the complex to allow the public to watch live broadcasts of events taking place at Dewan Hongkod,” he said.
Joachim added that an application had been submitted to the Malaysian Book of Records to recognise Kaamatan as the longest harvest festival in Malaysia.
He said improvements had also been made to traditional houses, including upgrades to exhibition areas for government agencies, to provide a more comfortable and organised environment for visitors.
Open house sessions will be held at all traditional houses on May 30 and 31 from 11am to 2pm, with only traditional drinks served and no alcoholic beverages allowed.
Various traditional performances and exhibitions will be held according to schedule at each traditional house, alongside a “Kecemerlangan Pengurusan Rumah Tradisi” competition to be evaluated by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), Sabah Tourism Board and Tourism Malaysia based on international standards.
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