Pairin (middle), Ewon (left) John (right) and representatives of the associations who were in the delegation during the courtesy call on the Huguan Siou.
KOTA KINABALU: Fifteen KadazanDusunMurut-based associations have registered their objection to the proposal on the use of the term ‘Momogun’ as a generic name for the Murutic, Paitanic and Dusunic speech communities in government forms to the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA).
Led by United Sabah Dusun Association (USDA) president Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin and KDCA secretary general Datuk John Anthony, representatives from the associations voiced their objection during a courtesy call on KDCA president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan recently.
Ewon said those who objected to the proposal wanted their respective ethnicity to be used in government official forms. They however have no objection to the associations and organizations who have chosen to use the word ‘Momogun’.
The 15 associations also expressed their support to Pairin as the Huguan Siou and his efforts to unite the Murutic, Paitanic and Dusunic speech communities. They also said they wished to continue to be under KDCA and USDA.
Pairin told the delegation that KDCA would continue to do its best to raise the prestige of the KadazanDusun community and would continue to implement programs which included improving the community’s economy, education, language and culture.
He added that KDCA would be organising an awareness campaign for the KadazanDusun community.
On the request from the associations to have their respective ethnicity to be used in official government forms, Pairin said he would bring the matter to the attention of the government.
The associations objecting to the proposal by the Momogun National Congress (MNC) are USDA, KDCA, USTO, Persatuan Suang Lotud Sabah, Persatuan Tinagas, Persatuan Sukang, Persatuan Sino KDM Sabah, Persatuan Bisaya Sabah Bersatu, Persatuan Sakag Sabah, Komuniti Murut Sabah, Persatuan Dusun Suppan, Rungus Bersatu Sabah, Persatuan Kimarangang, Persatuan Tombonuo and Persatuan Sungai.