Tuaran: Leaders of the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) and United Sabah Dusun Association (Usda) held a historic talk on unity over the weekend.

The meeting at the Borneo E.M. Centre in Pantai Dalit, here, that adopted the theme 'Unity in the Mind, Fusion of The Heart', was seriously concerned with the unity and affairs as well as relationship and peace among the Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) people.

According to the organising chairman Datuk Wilfred Bumburing, the talk came after discussions among friends who wanted to see unity among the KDM people.

"Last July 7 in Nunuk Ragang, a Goodwill Advisory Council was formed with Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Datuk Kalakau Untol, Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili and myself as the members.

"We had a meeting and then discussed this with Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Tan Sri Joseph Kurup. They then accepted the idea. We are happy for the support and encouragement that we received. Through this, we can instil back the harmonious relationship among each other".

So far, according to Bumburing, they had already conducted 10 meetings and he described the relationship between them as getting warmer.

Meanwhile, Datuk Dr Herman Luping in his speech said they the KDM people need to be united during this time to fight for the same issues.

"The KDM people in 1976 and in 1985 were united because of religious issues. But now, religion is no longer the issue but poverty. The poorest race is now the KDM people. Why are they poor? It is because no one speaks for them".

Luping added that most of the Native Title land had been taken by big companies from Kuala Lumpur and it is easy for the KDM people to be united on this issue.

Dompok said he was moved to see all the KDM leaders able to sit together after being disunited for more than one decade.

"Today is a historic day for all of us. Tonight is our first step for a journey of one thousand miles. We will have discussions to achieve more unity among us," said Dompok.

As for Pairin, he said he was willing to be the catalyst and guide as long as he is needed to ensure the success of the aspiration of uniting the KDM people.

"I can guide as long as I am needed but please be sincere in your approach and let's not be guided by the past," he said.