SABAH, 12 August 2025 — The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), in collaboration with the Sabah State Government and the Bajausama Ethnic Association of Sabah, successfully hosted the Bajausama Cultural Festival 2025 (FKRBSS2025), a four-day celebration held from 7 to 10 August 2025 at the Bajausama Cultural Centre in Kampung Lok Batik, Tuaran, Sabah.
Running daily from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM, the vibrant festival was officially launched by Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Musa bin Haji Aman, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah. Also in attendance were Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji bin Haji Noor, Chief Minister of Sabah, and Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia.
The festival aimed to preserve, empower, and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Bajausama ethnic group, a vital component of Sabah’s diverse identity.
It also sought to foster unity among Malaysia’s multi-ethnic society through performances of traditional arts, music, dance, language, cuisine, and traditional games.
The 2025 edition held special significance as it marked the first time the festival was officially supported by MOTAC, and it was highlighted as one of the key cultural events in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026).
Festival-goers were treated to a variety of engaging activities, including traditional and contemporary cultural performances, ethnic Bajausama music and dance, folk game demonstrations, handicraft exhibitions, heritage costume competitions, and workshops on weaving, wood carving, and traditional food preparation. A mini concert by well-known local artists added to the festive atmosphere.
A culinary highlight of the event was the Citarasa Warisan@Sabah programme, which showcased over 30 traditional dishes from Sabah, including Ambuyat, Bosou, Nasi Linopot, Sambal Tuhau, Sagu Borneo, and Kuih Penjaram.
MOTAC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sabah’s arts and tourism sectors—particularly in Tuaran—through the Cultural Sector Support Grant (GSSK) and Tourism Sector Support Grant (GSSP). This approach aligns with the Malaysia MADANI vision, which emphasizes cultural sustainability, economic community well-being, and heritage preservation for future generations.
Importantly, the festival featured active participation from the local community as dancers, musicians, cooks, traders, workshop facilitators, and cultural exhibitors—helping to empower the local economy and instill pride in their cultural roots.
MOTAC’s long-term vision is to position culture as a strategic national asset for economic growth and cultural diplomacy, in line with the National Cultural Policy (DAKEN) and the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI.