Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah government remains committed to implementing comprehensive initiatives aimed at preserving and strengthening the cultural heritage of the state's multi-racial communities, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He stressed that these efforts are crucial to ensure the state's cultural treasures continue to be preserved, appreciated, and passed down to future generations amid rapid global changes.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hajiji highlighted the importance of local culture staying relevant in an ever-changing world and being understood by both present and future generations. He emphasized that the younger generation are not merely inheritors but also guardians of the heritage that will shape the future of the state. "The preservation of cultural heritage is essential to ensure the continuity of a community's identity, values, and traditions. I therefore hope that ethnic associations in the state will continue to promote their respective cultures, customs, and languages so that they are not lost over time," Hajiji said in a statement during the Sabah Ethnic Day celebration.

The event was officiated by the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah, Tun Musa Aman, accompanied by his wife, Toh Puan Faridah Tussin. Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, who is also the State Local Government and Housing Minister, was also present at the celebration.

Hajiji further noted that efforts to preserve cultural heritage would also help attract more tourists to Sabah, aligning with the state government's target of 3.5 million tourist arrivals this year. He urged all Sabahans to continue nurturing the values of tolerance, mutual respect, and harmony, regardless of ethnic or religious background, stating that "the spirit of goodwill in diversity is the foundation of the people's strength in this state."