KOTA KINABALU – Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan is advocating for the term “Natives of Sabah” or “Anak Negeri Sabah” to replace “lain-lain” in official government documents to represent all indigenous people in the state.
He added that the current usage of “lain-lain” (others) is unacceptable as it is disrespectful and an affront to the dignity of the indigenous people.
He said the term “others” does not capture the rich diversity and contributions of Sabah’s indigenous communities, which undermines their rightful place in Malaysia’s cultural and historical narrative.
“It (‘lain-lain’) is a term that reduces our rich and varied cultures to a mere afterthought, categorising us as ‘others’ in our own homeland. This is unacceptable. It is time to move beyond outdated and disrespectful classifications and adopt language that truly reflects our identity and values.
“We, the people of Sabah, are not “lain-lain”; we are a vibrant, integral part of Malaysia, contributing to its rich cultural mosaic and its progress as a nation,” he said in a statement.
Kitingan, who is also Sabah STAR president, said the terms “Momogun” and “Kadazandusun”, though widely recognised, are not inclusive enough as they primarily describe the Dusunic, Murutic and Paitanic groups, and do not adequately represent other significant indigenous communities such as the Bajau, Bisaya, Kedayan, Irranun and others.
This lack of inclusivity risks alienating these groups, making them feel overlooked and marginalised, he said.
Kitingan added that adopting “Natives of Sabah” or “Anak Negeri Sabah” is not just a matter of terminology, but of respect, recognition and unity.
He said the terms are not only inclusive but also legally grounded, being defined in Article 161A(6)(b) of the Federal Constitution and Article 41(10) of the state constitution.
They align with the Sabah Interpretation (Definition of Natives) Ordinance, providing a legally sound and respectful way to acknowledge all indigenous peoples in Sabah, he said. – August 2, 2024