Mounting anger
(NST) – SACRED AWARD: Conferment of ‘Huguan Siou’ title on Anwar riles Sabahans
KOTA KINABALU: VOICES of anger and disgust at the conferment of the Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) title of “Huguan Siou” on Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim continue to ring loud in Sabah.
Leaders of political parties, non-governmental organisations and academician said it was inappropriate for Anwar to be given and to accept the title considered sacred and exclusive to the community.
“Anwar should apologise to the community,” said Sabah Umno deputy chief Datuk Seri Salleh Tun Said, adding that the opposition leader’s decision to accept the title was proof that he was ignorant of the culture of the ethnic groups in Sabah.
Salleh, who is also United Sabah Bajau Organisation president, said Anwar was interested only in power politics and insulting Sabahans.
“How does he (Anwar) expect Sabahans to trust him?”
Liberal Democratic Party president Datuk V.K. Liew said, to the people of Sabah, there was only one “Huguan Siou”, and that was Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) president.
“It will be a total humiliation for that person who wants to be ‘Huguan Siou’ as people will reject him, not accept him.”
Suman Yasambun, the KDCA secretary-general, demanded that Ranau PKR and Anwar apologise for infringing on the sensitivity and sacredness of the customs of the Kadazandusun.
“It must be understood that the title ‘Huguan Siou’, which means paramount leader, is reserved and conferred only on a Kadazandusun leader. It insults and hurts the feelings of the Kadazandusun (when it’s given to others).
“‘Huguan Siou’ is an institution that embodies the Kadazandusun and Murut spirit of unity, courage and self determination.
“He is the guardian of the customs, norms, artifacts and traditions of the Kadazandusun, which is celebrated every year through the Kaamatan celebration (harvest festival).”
It was reported that Anwar was given the title by Ranau PKR at a political gathering in Kampung Paginatan on Sunday.
He drew flak from Sabahans after photographs of him wearing a headgear and sash bearing the words “Huguan Siou” were posted by Ranau PKR chief Jonathan Yasin on his Facebook account.
Yasin, however, defended Anwar, saying the presentation of the headgear and sash was a symbolic gesture on the part of former native chief Paulus Kimpuang.
The title was first conferred on the late Tun Fuad Stephens, one of the state’s founding fathers.
The post remained vacant after Fuad’s death in 1976 until Pairin was chosen as the leader in 1984.
Centre for Orang Asli Concerns coordinator Colin Nicholas said Anwar should not have accepted the award as it was exclusive to Kadazandusun people who had made contributions to the community.
“I think Anwar was either badly advised or the person who bestowed the title on him was overzealous. I don’t think Anwar knew what he was getting into,” Nicholas told the New Straits Times yesterday.
Gerakan Suara KDM Bersatu demanded an explanation from PKR about what had happened in Kampung Paginatan.
“We seek a clarification from those involved on whether there is truth to an allegation, which is hotly debated on Facebook, that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was declared ‘Huguan Siou’ by Ranau PKR,” said its chairman, Lesaya Lopog.
He said the position could be filled by a person who belonged to a political organisation but only if he was respected by the Kadazandusun.
“This title was conferred on someone who is not part of the community. Why was it carried out in a political gathering and why were other KDM community leaders not consulted?
“This latest episode is an insult to our already injured pride.”
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Ahmad Maslan said the conferment of the title on Anwar was an insult to the community.
“The title should be bestowed on someone who is either from the community or someone who has done a lot for their advancement.
“Anwar does not fulfil either criterion. It’s just a cheap publicity stunt that has offended Sabahans,” he said during a visit to Balai Berita.
Anwar yesterday reportedly denied that he had received the honour.
“It’s not true. I am not aware of it. There was never a public announcement of it,” Anwar was quoted as saying in Miri where he was attending a talk.
Tuaran MP Datuk Wilfred Bumburing, who has been one of those blamed for the “coronation” of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the “Huguan Siou”, denied that such a ceremony had taken place in Kampung Paginatan in Ranau on Sunday.
Bumburing, who is Angkatan Perubahan Sabah president, said the issue of the sash with the inscription of “Huguan Siou” which was presented to Anwar had been blown out of proportion.
He said he hoped Ranau PKR would explain the incident, adding that he believed it was a case of the community leaders being overzealous when welcoming Anwar.
