Gobind spray painting at 4th Rhythms of Rimba Wildlife Festival.
KOTA KINABALU: Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo yesterday spent an hour with creative talents and conservation groups, hearing from them efforts that they have taken in Sabah.
Gobind who dropped by at the 4th Rhythms of Rimba (ROR) Wildlife Festival at Nexus Resort Karambunai toured each booth, taking time to better understand the work that has been done and issues that local talents and conservation groups face.
He also tried his hand at spray painting under the guidance of Cracko Art Group, and tasted some local traditional delicacies.
“We need to support festivals such as this. The groups here play an important role in society and in nature conservation.
“Do keep it up and we will do what we can to support such efforts,” Gobind said in his brief remarks to the crowd at the end of his visit.
He also wished visitors and exhibitors a happy Malaysia Day. Gobind was in Kota Kinabalu for the national level Malaysia Day celebration at Padang Merdeka.
ROR is organised by Future Alam Borneo (FAB), a Sabah-based non-governmental organisation.
The two-day festival on Sept 15 and 16 gathered groups representing artists, creative talents including writers, poets, and traditional food and fashion designers. Both evenings saw a showcase of music.
FAB also hosted a discussion on Sabah’s future in cultivating oil palm on the first day of the festival.
FAB chairman Anton Ngui said it was an honour to have Gobind visit the festival.
“The minister took time off his hectic schedule to spend time with us. We hope that our festival will receive the support we need to grow it, including from government,” he said.