Kota kinabalu: Sabah’s model of multicultural coexistence should serve as a national inspiration, National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said today. He emphasized that each group, no matter how small, contributes to the rich mosaic that makes Sabah a living symbol of Malaysia’s multicultural strength.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the minister highlighted that Sabah is home to 42 distinct indigenous ethnic groups and over 200 subethnic communities, each preserving a unique language, heritage, and worldview. “This is not just a statistic, it is a profound reflection of how deeply rooted harmony and respect for differences are in Sabah’s identity,” he stated during his speech at the Grand Finale of the “Lagu Kita”- Sabah Multicultural Songwriting and Band Competition.

The competition, first conceived in June 2024, was initiated with the noble aim of celebrating Sabah’s rich cultural diversity and empowering young talents through the creation of original music. The minister noted the significance of this initiative, stating that his ministry was pleased to support it with a grant of RM30,000. He further added that music serves as a universal language, bridging across languages, faiths, and customs.