Dailyexpress.com.my, 02 November, 2006
MATUNGGONG: Promotion of the annual Matunggong Gong Festival will be intensified next year, especially among tourists, said Assemblywoman Jornah Mozihim.
The Assistant Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister attributed lack of publicity to the lukewarm response for the two-day festival held in Kampung Sumangkap at the sub-district new township about 42km from Kudat.
Met after launching the festival on Tuesday, Jornah was asked on the small number of people coming to the festival, which was held in commemoration of the full eclipse of the sun that was also the longest in history on Oct. 24, 1995.
It was originally held at the new township field on Oct. 24, 2002 as Matunggong Cultural Festival but a year later was changed to Matunggong Gong Festival, while the venue was moved to the present site.
"I have spoken to all the relevant quarters that next year we want to intensify the promotion and publicity for the event. We want to get the involvement of tour agencies.
"Perhaps, they are not even aware of the event today," she said.
Jornah also wanted the exhibition to involve more kampung folk displaying their products rather than the various government agencies.
"I think its time we do away with such exhibition and instead focus on promoting the local people and their produce (in this respect) gongs," she said.
Jornah said efforts were also being made to collaborate with the Sabah State Library to document the Rungus community traditional heritage such as the Tangon or folk stories, which she felt are priceless form of art belonging to the community.
