Hajiji officiating at the opening ceremony of the 11th Tawau International Cultural Festival (FKAT) 2026 at Tawau Municipal Council Square last night.
TAWAU: The participation of delegates from several countries, alongside participants from across Malaysia, in the Tawau International Cultural Festival (FKAT) has further strengthened Tawau’s role as a border town with extensive cultural diplomacy networks and regional cooperation.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the development demonstrates that FKAT has established a distinct reputation of its own, successfully attracting widespread attention at both the national and international levels.
“The uniqueness of our culture is our strength, and this festival not only showcases the distinctive identity of our communities, but also symbolises the strong unity among Sabah’s multi-ethnic population.
“It is this uniqueness that has attracted participants from countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Cambodia and Indonesia to take part in the festival. This will undoubtedly strengthen Tawau’s position as one of the country’s dynamic and prosperous cultural tourism destinations, while continuing to attract visitors from across Malaysia as well as international tourists,” he said when officiating at the 11th Tawau International Cultural Festival 2026 here last night.
Hajiji mingling with local and international participants during the opening ceremony of the 11th Tawau International Cultural Festival (FKAT) 2026 at Tawau Municipal Council Square last night.
Meanwhile, Hajiji said FKAT serves as a major platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Sabah’s multi-ethnic communities.
“Culture is not merely a historical heritage, but also an asset that must be preserved for future generations. I am confident that this festival will have a significant impact on the tourism sector and the local economy in Tawau.
“The influx of domestic and international tourists during the festival not only provides them with the opportunity to experience our cultural heritage, but also generates economic benefits for everyone involved, both directly and indirectly.
“This includes entrepreneurs, homestay operators, cultural practitioners and small traders, thereby contributing to the growth of the local community’s economy,” he said.
In this regard, he said the State Government will intensify various high-impact initiatives, programmes and events to attract more visitors to Sabah in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, followed by Visit Sabah Year 2027.
“We will organise more promotional activities, including community-based tourism initiatives, while strengthening our digital marketing campaigns to attract more international tourists. Cultural festivals such as this serve as one of the platforms to support these efforts.
“The Government will also continue to support and assist ethnic associations in their efforts to preserve their respective customs, arts and cultural heritage throughout the State,” he said.
