Sabah cultural extravaganza stresses that Malaysia is a secular nation
The merry month of December is getting merrier. And the calendar looks crowded towards the end of the year. Adding to the Christmas spirit and ushering in the new year are cultural events lined up for the inaugural cultural and touristic extravaganza called Dec-Cover Sabah 2023. It showcases the state’s cultural diversity and drives home the point that Malaysia is a secular country.
With 3.6m people made up of 33 indigenous groups, Malays, ethnic Chinese and Indians who speak 50 languages and 80 dialects and profess different religions, Sabah has always been cited as Malaysia’s example of racial harmony. The celebration will kick off with the Sabah Tanah Airku Countdown Mega Run on December 23. In a show of unity, about 1,000 people in 28 districts will take part in this gruelling cross-country race to Kota Kinabalu to deliver the Sabah flag at the finishing line in Rimba park. The race will take runners eight days to complete.
But the dates for the other events aren’t known yet. There is a a Miss Merdeka 2023 beauty pageant open to single Malaysian women aged between 18 and 35 regardless of their race and religion. They must be at least 160cm (5ft 3in) tall. Total prizes to be won is RM38,888 with RM13,888 going to Miss Merdeka. And there will be exhibitions of traditional costumes of Sabah’s ethnic people and their history.
Food will not be missed. About 100 local businessmen will be selling food and beverages of the different races in 40 tourist hotspots across the state. Details are not available yet, but a dish from each of Sabah’s ethnic group will keep the taste buds busy.
Sabah Insights 