The 2026 Kaamatan Festival took place in Sabah with the theme "Menuai Perpaduan, Meraikan Keharmonian" (Harvesting Unity, Celebrating Harmony), highlighting unity and cultural heritage among the Kadazan-Dusun, Murut, and Rungus communities [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor opened the state-level festival at Hongkod Koisaan alongside Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim [5, 6]. Hajiji said ethnic diversity "should not be an obstacle; instead, they should form the basis of unity among the people and the development of the state" [6].
The festival honours the spirit of harvesting while promoting environmental sustainability rooted in local respect for land and nature [1, 4]. It symbolizes gratitude, harmony, and multiracial togetherness within Sabah and Malaysia as a whole [1, 2, 3, 4].
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof described Kaamatan as reflecting unity and cooperation needed to face economic and global challenges. He wished the festival would "bring blessings and well-being," adding "Kotobian Tadau Tagazo do Kaamatan"—Happy Kaamatan Festival [3].
The Sabah government unveiled a five-year programme through 2030 to document and preserve the state’s multi-ethnic culture and heritage, covering more than 30 ethnic groups [6]. Efforts are underway to promote Kaamatan as an international tourism attraction, involving collaborations with tourism boards, agencies, and digital campaigns [5]. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joachim Gunsalam called Kaamatan "a premier tourism product capable of attracting more domestic and international visitors" [5].
Tourism Malaysia staged airport celebrations of Kaamatan and Sarawak's Gawai festival at Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and Kuching airports from May 30 to June 1 as part of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign. International arrivals to Malaysia hit 10.6 million in the first quarter of 2026, a 5.4% increase over last year [7].
Some social media attention arose after a viral video showed a scuffle near Kaamatan celebrations in Penampang, prompting calls for an investigation [8].
With the festival ongoing, Sabah’s cultural preservation programme and tourism push are expected to continue through 2030 aiming to boost heritage awareness and draw more visitors [6].
