Najib traces father's footsteps in visiting Sabah big house

MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday traced the footsteps of his father as he visited Rumah Besar, the residence of the late native leader Sedomon Gunsanad, in the interior town of Bingkor near here.

Rumah Besar, which literally means big house, was where the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein stayed in 1963 when he visited Keningau to explain the proposed formation of Malaysia to the native leaders in the Keningau, Tambunan, Pensiangan, Nabawan, Sook, Ranau and Tenom areas.

Najib, who was accompanied by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, arrived at the residence at 9.15am and was greeted by Sedomon's son, Ricky Sedomon, and Datuk Ayub Man, advisor of the Council of Elders.

The prime minister toured the double-storey house, viewing, among others, the Sedomon family gallery and the top-floor balcony where Tun Razak had held discussions with Sedomon.

Ricky, who is chairman of the Family Day and Aki Kina and Aki Gong Kaamatan (Harvest) Carnival, told reporters he was honoured to have the prime minister visit the house, tracing the footsteps of his father who came almost 50 years ago. Ricky recalled that he was only eight when Tun Razak came to Bingkor, which was then full of huge trees.

He said Najib was briefed by Ayub on the Sedomon family history and the prime minister looked at the pictures of his father's visit to Bingkor.

He also said that the prime minister was impressed by the fact that the Sedomon family members kept in touch with one another and advised Ricky to maintain the close relationship.

Before taking leave, Najib struck a gong seven times to officially launch the family day and family harvest carnival attended by about 500 relatives, all wearing black T-shirts bearing the words "I love PM", as well as people from the neighbourhood.

Earlier, Najib spent about 15 minutes on a walkabout at the Bingkor market, located about 800 metres from Rumah Besar.

Drinks seller Rosdiana Sayuti described the prime minister as a leader of the people, and said he was prepared to go down to the ground to meet the people despite being busy with the administration of the country.

Bernama