Use of ‘Momogun’ could undermine native rights, says Kadazan group

 

Lawrence Sinsua of the Kadazan Welfare Foundation said replacing the term ‘lain-lain’ with ‘Momogun’ in official records may lead to legal ambiguities.

PETALING JAYA: 

The head of a Kadazan association fears that official use of the term 

Momogun

 for Sabah’s indigenous communities could undermine native rights and privileges set out in the Federal Constitution.

Lawrence Sinsua, chairman of the registered trustees of the Kadazan Welfare Foundation said that although the term 

Momogun

 is meant to be inclusive, it was not officially recognised in the constitution, the Borneo Post reported.

Indigenous communities and members of other ethnic groups are currently categorised as 

lain-lain

 (others) in official forms but activists have campaigned recently for Sabah natives to be described as 

Momogun

.

Lawrence said: 

Replacing the term ‘lain-lain’ with ‘Momogun’ in official records may lead to legal ambiguities and diminish the recognition and protection of the native status of the people of Sabah.

He said it is crucial that any change in terminology does not inadvertently strip away the rights and privileges enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

Lawrence said Article 153 safeguards the special position of the Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak by providing for the reservation of quotas in public service, scholarships, and business permits or licences.

He said it is critical that the terms used to identify the indigenous natives of Sabah in official documents should be 

accurate, meaningful, and reflective of their cultural and historical significance

.

He also said that the term 

Kadazan Dusun

 has long been recognised both locally and globally as a comprehensive identifier for the indigenous natives of Sabah.

Momogun

 on the other hand is neither widely recognised nor appropriate to represent the indigenous natives of Sabah,” Lawrence said.

Using ‘Momogun’ instead of ‘Kadazan’ or ‘Dusun’ may cause confusion and undermine the established identity of our community, leading to potential misrepresentation in important government processes. - FMT