KOTA KINABALU: Illogical, insulting, disrespectful and an act of desperation, were some of the words used by KadazanDusun leaders in Sabah when commenting on the issue of Pakatan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim being allegedly bestowed the title of Huguan Siou Malaysia in Ranau on Sunday.
United Pasokmomogun KadazanDusun Murut Organization (UPKO) secretary general Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau who was met at the Gerakan Sabah Chinese New Year open house on Monday found the whole incident hilarious.
To him it was a ‘misplaced’ awarding of the title, as Huguan Siou is only conferred on a leader which is known to the KadazanDusun.
“So when you bestow the title on someone who is not from the community, I would say that it is a misplaced award,” the former Tuaran member of parliament, stressed.
UPKO treasurer and Putatan member of parliament Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh described the act as “an insult to the community because Huguan Siou is only bestowed upon one particular person that is respected by the community.
“Anwar is out of the question, he is only here for political reasons (and) you cannot install such a leader as the Huguan Siou. It could backfire on them. As I said this shows no respect for the KadazanDusun community,” Marcus stressed.
Moyog assemblyman and UPKO information chief Datuk Donald Mojuntin when asked for his comment said: “As far as I am concerned, Huguan Siou is a Kadazan concept. To bestow it on a non-Kadazan is illogical, somehow confusing the people and it could be an insult to the Kadazan community. It also rips the fabric of unity that Sabahans are well known for.
“How can there be a Huguan Siou Malaysia? That would mean he is a paramount leader for the country and it is illogical,” Donald said, adding that culture and tradition should never be used for political mileage.
To Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) vice president Datuk Herbert T Lagadan, what the KDM leaders in PKR did for bestowing the title of Huguan Siou on Anwar is simply a lunatic act of desperation.
“Or is it a preview of an action to be taken by KDM leaders in a PR government who are willing to give away Sabahan rights to Anwar? Are there any valid reasons for him to qualify to get the Huguan Siou title except being the Huguan Siou of the PTI in Sabah?” Herbert questioned, after photographs of opposition chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wearing a sash featuring the words Huguan Siou were posted on the Facebook pages of various individuals including that of PKR Ranau division chief Jonathan Yasin.
Responding to more than 90 comments about these photographs, Yasin explained that the headgear and sash had been presented to Anwar during his visit to Kampung Paginatan over the weekend.
Jonathan said the handing over of the sash and headgear was merely a symbolic gesture on the part of former Native Chief Paulus Kimpuang.
“Who am I to stop any Kadazan or Dusun individuals from enthroning any person as Huguan Siou Malaysia?” Jonathan said in his lengthy reply to various comments from other Facebook users.
Kota Kinabalu District Chief William Majimbun yesterday said the act was nothing less than an insult to the KadazanDusun community, and added that the Kadazandusun community had selected Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan as their Huguan Siou or paramount leader since 1984.
“As far as we are concerned, there is only one Huguan Siou and anyone else claiming the title is only insulting the Kadazandusun,” said William.
Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) deputy president Dr Othman Menuddin explained that the community would select a Huguan Siou from the ranks of their eminent leaders.
“That person has to possess certain traits being very patient, fearless, display exemplary leadership skills and a belief in divine powers,” he said in explaining the first Huguan Siou for the Kadazandusun was the late Tun Fuad Stephens, one of Sabah’s founding fathers.
Othman said the conferring of the title could only be performed by a ‘bobolian’ and that after Fuad’s death in 1976, the post remained vacant after former Deputy Chief Minister the late Datuk Dr James Ongkili declined to accept it and the Kadazandusun community eventually chose Pairin in 1984.
Othman, a native of Ranau district where Anwar had received the sash and headgear, said far from being an honorary title, the term Huguan Siou virtually referred to someone of a royal standing in the community.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president Datuk Eric Majimbun was of the opinion that Anwar should not have accepted the sash.
“By accepting, he was mocking the Kadazandusun community. The person who presented it may have his intention but for Anwar to accept it was to insult our community
“If they call someone Huguan Siou Malaysia, that is saying he is the king. Isn’t that an insult as well?” questioned Eric.
NGO Gerakan Suara KDM Bersatu (SKB) chairman Lesaya Lopog in a statement has demanded that PKR Ranau clarified what had actually happened in Ranau.
“We are a movement with one objective which is to express one united voice expressing the views and feelings of the KDM community pertaining to actions of any parties that would hurt the feeling of the KDM community in general.
“We seek clarification from those involved whether there is truth in an allegation which is hotly debated on Facebook alleging that PR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was declared as Huguan Siou Malaysia by PKR Ranau.
“We demand an explanation from PKR Ranau as to whether the institution of Huguan Siou was conferred on someone who is not from the KDM community, and why was it carried out in a political gathering and why was other KDM community leaders not consulted?” Lesaya asked.
According to him, the position of Huguan Siou could only be held by one person who may belong to a political organisation that some people no longer favoured but that does not give anyone in the opposing side of the political divide the right to freely declare someone the Huguan Siou, or any ceremony resembling the same.
“This latest episode in the Sabah political scene clearly is an insult to our already injured pride,” he lamented.