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Comment by No Agency on Friday

Filem Netflix Made in Korea membuktikan bahawa karya budaya mampu menjadi jambatan diplomasi emosi antara negara. Dengan mengangkat legenda Puteri India Heo Hwang-ok dan Raja Suro dari Gaya, filem ini bukan sekadar hiburan sejarah, tetapi satu eksperimen budaya yang menghubungkan Korea dan India melalui imaginasi bersama. Kejayaannya menunjukkan bahawa filem dapat mengubah rasa ingin tahu budaya menjadi pelancongan, perdagangan dan hubungan rakyat.

Sabah sebenarnya memiliki potensi yang sama.

Perayaan Thaipusam di Kuil Sri Subramaniar, Lok Kawi, Kota Kinabalu memperlihatkan keunikan masyarakat Sabah yang hidup dalam kepelbagaian semula jadi. Walaupun ia bukan cuti umum di Sabah, sambutan ini tetap meriah dengan penyertaan masyarakat India, Cina, Melayu dan Kadazan-Dusun. Suasana seperti ini jarang ditemui di banyak tempat lain di Asia. Di Sabah, kepelbagaian bukan slogan politik, tetapi budaya harian yang hidup.

Namun, kekuatan budaya ini masih belum diterjemahkan sepenuhnya ke dalam industri kreatif antarabangsa.

Jika Korea menggunakan filem untuk memperkenalkan negaranya kepada dunia, Sabah juga boleh membina naratif rentas budaya sendiri. Bayangkan sebuah filem tentang anak muda India dari Chennai datang ke Sabah mencari sejarah keluarganya, lalu bertemu pengarah dokumentari Korea dan gadis Kadazan-Dusun semasa Thaipusam di Lok Kawi. Melalui laut, pasar malam, muzik tradisional dan ritual keagamaan, mereka membentuk hubungan baharu melangkaui bangsa dan bahasa.

Cerita seperti ini mampu menghidupkan pelancongan budaya, hotel, makanan tempatan, seni kraftangan, festival muzik dan kerjasama perdagangan serantau. Dalam era penstriman digital, dunia semakin mencari cerita yang mempunyai identiti campuran dan emosi sejagat.

Kekuatan terbesar Sabah bukan hanya gunung dan pantai, tetapi kemampuannya menjadi ruang pertemuan budaya Asia. Apa yang diperlukan kini ialah pengkarya yang mampu menterjemahkan bunyi gendang Thaipusam, kabus Gunung Kinabalu dan semangat masyarakat majmuk Sabah menjadi kisah yang dapat dirasai oleh dunia.

Comment by No Agency on Friday

An Open Letter to the Sabah Minister of Tourism

Dear YB Minister,

Sabah is widely known as the “Land Below the Wind,” celebrated for its breathtaking mountains, islands, and rainforests. Yet beyond its natural beauty lies a far greater treasure — the harmony among its diverse religious and cultural communities.

In a multicultural nation like Malaysia, Sabah stands out as one of the strongest examples of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence. This social harmony is not only essential to national unity but also holds tremendous potential as a unique attraction for cultural tourism.

In Sabah, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and followers of traditional beliefs have lived together in mutual respect for generations. This spirit can be seen in the daily lives of Sabahans, where people of different backgrounds attend open houses and celebrations together without hesitation.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Thaipusam are celebrated with a strong sense of togetherness. Such unity is increasingly rare in many parts of the world and should be recognised as one of Sabah’s most valuable cultural assets.

One meaningful example is the Thaipusam celebration at Sri Subramaniar Temple in Lok Kawi, Kota Kinabalu. Although Thaipusam is not a public holiday in Sabah, the celebration continues to attract people from various ethnic and religious communities. The presence of Malay, Chinese, and Kadazan-Dusun visitors witnessing kavadi processions and participating in charitable activities reflects how respect for other cultures and faiths has become part of Sabah’s identity.

This demonstrates that religious tolerance in Sabah is not merely a slogan, but a living tradition passed down through generations.

Today’s international travellers seek more than beautiful scenery or local cuisine. They look for authentic cultural and social experiences. Sabah offers exactly that through its harmonious way of life. Visitors can witness firsthand how different religions coexist peacefully without major conflict, presenting Malaysia as a successful model of unity in diversity.

This uniqueness also creates opportunities for community-based tourism. Festivals such as Kaamatan, Christmas, and Thaipusam can be promoted as cultural events reflecting Sabah’s identity. Traditional performances, community feasts, and visits to places of worship can provide meaningful experiences for tourists while supporting local livelihoods through food sales, handicrafts, and tourism services.

At a time when many societies face religious division and extremism, Sabah has the opportunity to emerge as a symbol of harmony in Southeast Asia. This social heritage must be preserved through education, interfaith dialogue, and support for multicultural cultural programs.

With proper promotion and continued preservation efforts, Sabah can continue to inspire the world as a shining example of unity through diversity.

Respectfully,

No Agency