Kota Kinabalu (May 30) - Sabah Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam has urged the public to accept and respect the Kadazan Dusun identity, amid continued discussion surrounding ethnic classification in the state.
In remarks reported by Daily Express, Joachim said the Kadazan Dusun identity should be acknowledged as part of Sabah’s broader indigenous heritage and treated with understanding by all communities involved.
He emphasised the importance of unity among indigenous groups in Sabah and encouraged the public not to allow identity-related discussions to become a source of division.
Joachim’s comments come in the context of ongoing conversations within the state regarding ethnic naming conventions and the historical development of the Kadazan and Dusun classification, which has long been recognised as a combined identity representing closely related indigenous groups.
The Deputy Chief Minister reiterated the need to preserve harmony among Sabah’s multi-ethnic communities, noting that cultural identity should serve as a foundation for unity rather than division.
The Kadazan Dusun designation has been widely used in official and social contexts in Sabah for decades, reflecting the shared linguistic and cultural heritage of the communities involved.
For Sabah, where ethnic diversity plays a significant role in social and political dynamics, such statements are often viewed as part of broader efforts to maintain cohesion among indigenous groups while respecting cultural identity.
Joachim’s remarks add to ongoing public discourse on how best to balance recognition of individual ethnic identities with the collective Kadazan Dusun classification in the state.