PENAMPANG: Sept 19, 2026 — The unification of the Kadazandusun community does not mean erasing or standardising the identity of each ethnic and sub-ethnic group.
KDCA deputy president Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan stressed that each ethnic and sub-ethnic group has its own identity, language, dialect, customs, culture, history and heritage that must continue to be preserved.
“We have different views and understandings of this identity. That is why this dialogue is important. We need to listen to one another, look back at its history, explain how Kadazandusun identity developed and find common ground,” he said.
He said this when launching the 2026 Kadazandusun Dialogue at the KDCA Hongkod Koisaan Hall today.
He said the acceptance of a shared identity did not mean that any ethnic group had to abandon its own name, language, customs, culture, history, association or community affairs.
He added that ethnic identity was the root, Kadazandusun was the collective identity while KDCA was the institutional umbrella for the community.
“Ethnic identity tells us our origins. Kadazandusun connects us when we stand together. KDCA provides the space for us to cooperate and pursue common interests,” he said.
Jeffrey stressed that when a matter touches on common interests, all parties need to discuss and seek understanding.
Therefore, the concept of “One Shared Voice” does not mean all parties must agree on every matter, but instead enables the community to stand together on matters agreed upon as common interests.
He also explained that the success of a dialogue should not be measured by majority count alone, but requires broader, sincere and lasting understanding.
According to him, that understanding would become the basis for moving forward and be translated through the Kadazandusun Unity Charter.
“We do not need to be the same to be one,” he said.
The 2026 Kadazandusun Dialogue, themed “Unification in Diversity”, brought together various ethnic and sub-ethnic groups to discuss shared identity, diversity and efforts to strengthen understanding within the Kadazandusun community.
