Local craft makers in Sabah’s northern Matunggong district recently achieved recognition for their work as the beaded flag they created four years ago has made it into the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR). The group, which consists mainly of housewives, was surprised when MBR representatives offered to feature their creation in the book. Hanna Paradong, the first to suggest the idea to her fellow villagers, said they received an email after news articles about their work were published in The Star and other media outlets. They were presented with certificates and their entry in the MBR at a ceremony in Beaufort on September 14.
Hanna, a 57-year-old member of the group, expressed her excitement, stating that the recognition they yearned for finally arrived. She said their main objective in creating the 193cm x 97cm, 5kg flag out of beads was to display the beadwork skills of the Matunggong people to the nation. In addition, she highlighted that many people are unaware that the Matunggong folk were among the first in the state to create bead jewelry and other objects.
Hanna emphasized the importance of preserving the craft for future generations and promoting the heritage and culture of the Matunggong people. She clarified that their aim was not fame or wealth, but rather to sustain their livelihoods while preserving their traditions. However, amidst their achievement, some of their neighbors responded with derision.
After receiving the MBR certificate, Hanna expressed that many villagers approached them, inquiring if they had received a substantial amount of money. She stated that these individuals laughed at them because they only returned with a certificate. Hanna expressed her disappointment, mentioning that earning money was never their goal. She shared that many people told them they had wasted their time and money, but she advised her teammates to ignore the negative comments and focus on the recognition their work had received.
In light of this, Hanna extended her gratitude to MBR for reaching out to them and to the various media outlets, including The Star, Sin Chew Daily, Bernama, Berita Harian, Era Sabah, Astro Awani Borneo, Daily Express, BorneoPost, Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), Sabah Information Department, and the Kudat Information Department, for raising awareness about their story. She also thanked the Kudat and Matunggong community leaders, as well as their families and friends, for their moral and financial support.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
