Ongkili (third left) and Assistant Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Julita Majungki (second right) cutting paddy to symbolically launch the Matunggong Kaamatan Festival.
KOTA MARUDU: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said a specific and proper department must be set up to protect and preserve the native languages before they go extinct.
“It is becoming scarce to find someone who can converse well in our mother tongue, especially among the younger generation.
“As such, it is vital to have a proper department that will protect and preserve all native languages in Sabah,” he said at the launching of the Matunggong Kaamatan Festival, here, today.
He said funds can be appropriately channeled through the department to be disbursed to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) for the preservation of native languages.
Ongkili also supports the call by Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) President Huguan Siou (Paramount leader) Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan for an ethnic language month to promote and preserve the native languages of Sabah.
Ongkili, who is also the KDCA Deputy President and KDCA Kota Marudu Chairman, said that Kadazan, Dusun, Murut and Runggus (KDMR) related contests will be organised to promote the languages among the young.
“The KDCA Kota Marudu will be organising speech, storytelling, and debate, to mention some, all in the KDMR languages. We hope this will not just promote, but spark interest among the young to learn the language,” he said.
