GE15: Tompinai koungawi is much friendlier, closer to the people - Ewon
PENAMPANG - The sentiment of family is a concept that is close to Pakatan Harapan (PH) Penampang's MP candidate, Datuk Ewon Benedict's heart.
During his campaign speech in Kampung Tindai Kolupis here yesterday, Ewon 39 used his mother tongue the Kadazandusun language to address the crowd as he wanted to closely bond with his supporters.
Ewon who is also The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation ( UPKO) vice president kept repeating the phrase " Tompinai Koungawi " throughout his speech which means 'my family'.
" The Kadazandusun language is very unique and beautiful language so why don't we use it.
" If it was in Malay we would use the term ' saudara saudari' where it refers to genders but the term Tompinai koungawi is a term that covers all without having to specify gender.
" We must endeavour to use the Kadazandusun language in our daily speech as it is a beautiful language that can be used when we are talking to friends who are listening to the speeches," he said about his campaign approach in the village.
He explained that the usage of the term " Tompinai Koungawi" was a practice that he has used for a while including when he held the position as a Sabah cabinet minister in the previous government.
" From the beginning I always used the culture of " Tompinai Koungawi " compared to the usage of words like ladies and gentlemen, 'saudara dan saudari', 'tuan-tuan dan puan-puan'.
" I much prefer the use of " Tompinai Koungawi" even in my official speeches during my time as the Sabah Rural Development Minister and as an Assemblyman, as I like to highlight the beauty of the Kadazandusun language at every opportunity that I can and to appreciate the Kadazandusun culture.
" Everytime I use it, it is more friendly, looks friendly, seen as friendly and of course it is friendly," the Kadamaian Assemblyman said.
This general election, Ewon is contesting for the first time for the Penampang parliament seat. He is contesting against its incumbent Datuk Darell Leiking from Warisan. Traditionally the Penampang seat has always been held by an UPKO candidate.
When asked if he was confident enough to gain back the seat, Ewon said he was optimistic on winning the seat based on his track record as the Kadamaian Assemblyman.
Ewon is facing a four corner fight for the seat competing against two other candidates namely Kenny Chua Teck Ho from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and independent candidate Richard Jimmy.
"Tompinai koungawi' meaning 'my family' is among the words that did not stop coming from Penampang Parliament Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Datuk Ewon Benedick during his speech at the 15th General Election (GE15) campaign in Kampung Tindai Kolupis, here, on Wednesday.
Ewon, 39, who was the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) Vice President was seen to take the approach of campaigning using the Kadazandusun's mother tongue in the area he contested because it was considered friendlier and closer to the people listening to his speech.
"In terms of using the language, the Kadazandusun language has a lot of uniqueness to it, it is filled with beauty and why don't we use it.
"If it was in Malay we would use 'saudara sedari' where it referred to genders but in Kadazandusun tompinai koungawi pictured all without caring about gender and such.
"The uniqueness of the Kadazandusun language must be empowered and be made in our daily speech, why do we not use such a beautiful language that refers to friends who are talking with and hearing our speeches," he said when asked regarding the approach of his campaign in the village.
