BANGI: June 18, 2026 – Approximately 500 visitors from various backgrounds enlivened the Festival Anak Borneo (FAB) 2026, held at the Panggung Seni, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) on 8 June, in an effort to promote and elevate the cultures of Sabah and Sarawak in Peninsular Malaysia.
The programme, organised by the Persatuan Mahasiswa-mahasiswi Sabah University Kebangsaan Malaysia (PERMIS), featured a range of Borneo-themed activities including cultural performances, Mr and Miss Borneo competitions, singing contests, heritage exhibitions, traditional food sales and performances by guest artists.
The Programme Director of the Festival Anak Borneo 2026, Syasya Afiqah Binti Asmawie, said the festival was born out of the need to provide a space for Sabahans living away from home.
“Many Sabahan students studying in the Peninsula do not have the opportunity to return home to celebrate Kaamatan with their families. So through this festival, we are trying to bring the atmosphere of that celebration here, so that they can still experience the festivity, culture and spirit of togetherness that defines Sabahan identity,” she told TV Sabah.
According to her, the festival was not merely a gathering for the Bornean community in the diaspora.
“This programme also opens the door for UKM students and the wider Peninsular community to get to know more closely the customs, arts and traditions of Bornean society. At the same time, it helps strengthen unity and promotes respect for the country’s cultural diversity,” she explained.
Among the festival’s main attractions were performances by Sabahan artists such as Alya Mardien and Eylia Guntabid, as well as the participation of Unduk Ngadau and Randawi Tavantang Kaamatan contestants, who enlivened the programme throughout.
“Festivals like this are not merely entertainment events; they serve as platforms to ensure that cultural heritage continues to be appreciated and passed down to younger generations. They also strengthen ties within the Bornean community living abroad,” she said.
She expressed hope that the festival could be expanded in the future so that more people could benefit from it.
“We hope that the Borneo Children’s Festival can continue on a larger scale and with broader impact, so that more members of the public can get to know, understand and appreciate the beauty of Sabah and Sarawak’s cultures,” she added.
The festival also served as a platform to strengthen the spirit of unity and mutual understanding among multi-ethnic communities through an appreciation of cultural heritage rich with its own values and identity. Its successful organisation demonstrated that the cultures of Sabah and Sarawak continue to remain relevant in shaping a society that values diversity and national harmony.
