Into the groove: Dancers kicking off the launch of the Christmas celebration at Padang Merdeka in Kota Kinabalu.
KOTA KINABALU: The lighting-up of two Christmas trees, one 15m tall and the other 6m, and yuletide songs kicked off Sabah’s state-level Christmas celebration, which has been promised to be a bigger and grander event this year.
Following that, dance and song performances from churches of different denominations were also showcased to the public who attended the launch at Padang Merdeka here on Tuesday night.
Men and women dressed as Santas and Santarinas gave presents to children under the age of 12, bringing to life the message of sharing and giving.
Around the field, hundreds of vendors had set up their stalls to sell trinkets, Christmas-themed food and beverages, clothes and other festive items.
The usually empty field was alive with activities, laughter of children and sounds of singing from the carol singers as well as visitors.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, in his opening speech, reminded the people to stay united and continue to practise values that bring each other together, instead of focusing on differences that divide them.
He said any element or effort that could disrupt the peace and harmony as well as government stability in Sabah has to be pushed aside.
He said this was so that all development agendas planned for Sabah could be realised.
Hajiji’s speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister and state Agriculture and Fishery Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
He said the diversity of Sabah’s ethnic and cultural groups has long been embraced with solidarity, tolerance and respect for one another.
“Even during every festive season, we have celebrated together irrespective of race and religion, so I want us all to set aside differences and focus on values that unite us, not divide us,” he said.
Hajiji also urged everyone to put aside political issues and focus on working for the people and the state.
“What is important is that the cooperation from the people would ensure success for the Sabah Maju Jaya development policies and programmes,” he added.
Earlier in his speech, he reiterated the state government’s sincerity in providing assistance to all communities, with RM54.05mil allocation under the 2023 state budget going towards non-Muslim religious bodies and schools (Chinese vernacular and mission schools).
This was an increase of RM7.05mil compared to what was allotted this year, said Hajiji.
“As a concerned government that wants to contribute equally, we will continue providing aid and allocation to non-Muslim religious bodies, which will benefit the churches in this state,” he explained.
He stressed that harmony and tolerance in practising religions must be maintained for the good of the current and future generations.
At the event, he expressed appreciation towards the commitment and efforts by the Kota Kinabalu City Hall and Sabah Council of Churches for successfully organising the 17th Christmas celebration, which will last until Dec 16.
Live broadcasts of the event can be viewed on Facebook and YouTube under “KK Christmas Celebration – KKCC”.
