SIPITANG: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the Sabah Lundayeh Association (PLS) to leverage social media and digital platforms to promote the Irau Rayeh Lundayeh festival to a global audience.
He emphasised that this approach would enhance global visibility and connect the Lundayeh community with the outside world.
According to him, the Irau Rayeh Lundayeh festival has the potential to become a major attraction in the cultural and eco-tourism sectors of the country. Therefore, continuous efforts to promote it, including the use of digital platforms, are essential.
“If we can introduce tourism packages that include the Irau Rayeh celebration, it will attract more tourists and simultaneously boost local development through spending on cultural products, handicrafts, and local cuisine,” he stated during his speech at the 16th Irau Rayeh Lundayeh Sabah event held at the Lundayeh Cultural Association Complex on Saturday.
His speech was delivered by the Chief of Umno Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar Radin.
Ahmad Zahid noted that festivals like Irau Rayeh play a crucial role in uniting communities, particularly the Lundayeh people, and showcasing their culture to the outside world.
He mentioned that through organising such activities, the younger generation has the opportunity to learn about, understand, and appreciate their ancestral heritage, ensuring the preservation of this culture in line with the government’s aspiration to see Malaysian culture thrive in a harmonious environment, thereby strengthening the spirit of unity among the diverse ethnic groups in the country.
“Malaysia is a nation made up of various races and ethnicities, and unity is our most valuable asset. Culture, in all its forms, serves as a bridge that connects us regardless of our backgrounds,” he said.
