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75 ethnic groups signed a declaration agreeing to use “Momogun” as a common term for the Dusun, Murut and Paithan language groups in Sabah.
(New Standard Time) – Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Irwin Benedick said the declaration and agreement would bring positive outcomes for Sabah’s Orang Asli and local communities in all aspects.
“Population data and statistics are crucial when formulating the government’s economic policies. Therefore, this declaration and the decision of the various ethnic associations can create opportunities for positive development within the communities, highlighting their role and contribution to the country.
“It is inappropriate to use the ‘lain-lain’ (other) section in official government forms as identification for the indigenous communities in Sabah,” he said at the closing ceremony of the Momogun Convention at the Penampang Cultural Centre yesterday.
Ewon, who is also the chairman of the United Progressive Organisation of Kinabalu (UPKO), said despite supporting the use of the term “Momogun”, he is still proud to be a Kadazan and Kadazandusun.
“I support the statement and have a duty to take the matter to the federal government,” he said.
Previously, 84 ethnic groups had attended the conference.
Evan said the congress was a significant policy decision following the first congress held in the early 1960s, which chose the names of the Kadazan, Dusun or Momogong people.
Ewon proposed the “Momogun” proposal in the Sabah State Assembly in April this year.
Since then, many professionals have been debating the appropriate terminology to identify the indigenous people of Sabah.
Just yesterday, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Geoffrey Kitingan Said that the term “Sabah Orang Asli” should be included in official government documents as it represents all indigenous peoples in Sabah.
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