A Book On Kadazandusun - By Tan Sri Herman Luping

A book entitled, Indigeneous Ethnic Communities Of Sabah: The Kadazandusun written by Tan Sri Herman Luping is timely. Himself a writer, Tan Sri was involved in a number of articles connected with North Borneo(Sabah's former name then), Sabah and Malaysia. Also, a living history, having witnessed the formation of Malaysia and later becoming politically active in it. Thus qualifying him to write this book.

Unity is of the utmost importance in a country's progress. What more, in a community! Because without unity, the positive force required, especially to develop the race would be dissipated. By infighting, etc.. It is better therefore to focus on planning and implementing programmes which have been made so that members of the race could benefit from them.

Afterall, the success of the country's development project should be translated into something tangible like raising the standard of living of the people concerned. It is not buildings, etc. that will benefit them. It is chicken, vegetatable and rice issue with extra money to buy the luxuries of life. These are what is needed in poverty stricken kampongs which can be found in many parts of Sabah.

So for the Kadazandusun and also for the other races, their leaders should therefore be attentive and alert to various ideas of how they could be applied in their respective communities. How to improve those in the poverty level and how to further improve those who are already above. These are no easy tasks. And it is important that any such programme should be result and income oriented.

This book will help the Kadazandusun and those in leadership to consolidate their racial identity as being one race. With the overall intention of making the Kadazandusun an economic force to be reckoned with in Malaysia. It is not impossible to do so. It is a positive possibility. But the leaders and the Kadazandusun people must see the common vision.

A vision of health and wealth that can only become a reality when leaders can introduce practical plans which will help to generate income for the people. Finally leaders will always be remembered for their revenue making ventures which have helped their race to earn good money. Thus providing their followers with economic stability.

It is unity and not disagreements that will bring growth to the people.