PBBS Proposes Higher Kaamatan Allocation To Expand Halal Food Access For Visitors

PENAMPANG, June 1 (Bernama) -- The Sabah Bisaya Bersatu Association (PBBS) has proposed that the state government increase allocations for the Kaamatan Festival in the future to enable the provision of more halal food for visitors, particularly the Muslim community.

Its president, Datuk Ruslan Muharam, said the proposal is timely as the Kaamatan Festival is no longer attended solely by the Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) community, but also attracts visitors from Peninsular Malaysia, Brunei, and the Muslim community in Sabah.

Ruslan, who is also the state Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, said PBBS had already taken the initiative this year by offering halal food under an open house concept at the Bisaya House in Hongkod Koisaan, Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA).

“Many Muslim visitors come looking for halal food. This year, we are having an open house concept where anyone can come and enjoy the food provided.

“We propose that the state government increase allocations for the Kaamatan Festival, and at the same time, KDCA should also increase funding so PBBS can provide more halal food for Muslim visitors,” he told Bernama.

He noted that this year’s organisers had also introduced a halal zone initiative to accommodate Muslim visitors, as announced by the Chairman of the Main Committee for the 2026 State-Level Kaamatan Festival Celebration, Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.

Ruslan said the availability of halal food, including traditional dishes, at the Bisaya House this year was made possible through allocated funding, unlike in previous years when provisions were limited to association staff and participants.

Among the traditional dishes offered were sago, ulam-ulaman, bamboo shoots, rattan shoots, cassava, kelupis and traditional rice-based drinks.

He said the introduction of designated halal-friendly spaces reflects the inclusiveness of the festival and its role in fostering unity among Malaysia’s diverse communities, regardless of religious background.

Ruslan also said PBBS plans to showcase more Bisaya traditional accessories and attire in next year’s celebration.

He noted that items such as pisanggul, tanjak and kalung have been exhibited previously, but participation from cultural practitioners was lower this year due to family wedding commitments.

On the association’s direction, he said PBBS is targeting an increase in membership to 100,000, up from the current estimated 60,000 to 70,000 members.

He added that the target will be pursued through a membership campaign focusing on youth, particularly secondary school students who represent the next generation of Bisaya cultural heritage.

PBBS also plans to provide incentives to members who are students for achieving excellent results in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examinations.

-- BERNAMA