KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah Cabinet minister Datuk Conrad Mojuntin, who oversaw Sabah’s golden age of sports in the early 1980s, has been given a posthumous Bulawan Sigah award.

       The title, which means “golden crown” in the Dusun language, is the second highest award after the Huguan Siou title that is given to the paramount leader of the native Kadazandusun Murut Rungus (KDMR) communities in Sabah.

       For services to Sabahans: Clarence presenting the Bulawan Sigah headgear to Theresa.

       The Huguan Siou title is held by former chief minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

       The natives of Sabah have great respect towards a Huguan Siou as many culture-related matters are handled and overseen by the Huguan Siou.

       Mojuntin passed away due to a stroke on Nov 17 last year. He was 73.

       Mojuntin’s eldest son, Petrus, said the award, which was supposed to be given in 2019 but halted due to the pandemic, was a recognition of his late father’s contributions to the state and the KDMR in Sabah.

       “We are honoured to receive this award on behalf of my father.

       “It is a proud moment for us, though he was never one who cared whether he was recognised for his services to the people,” he said.

       He said his father had been involved in various cultural activities, highlighting KDMR issues and bringing infrastructure development to the natives, including playing a huge role in the establishment of the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), among others.

       KDCA deputy president Datuk Seri Clarence Bongkos Malakun and other leaders visited the family and handed over the award to Mojuntin’s wife Theresa yesterday.

       Apart from Mojuntin, a few other leaders, including Parti Bersatu Sabah president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, have also been awarded the Bulawan Sigah title.

       As youth and sports minister in the 1982-85 Berjaya government, Mojuntin was credited with pushing Sabah’s sports development to new heights that saw the state becoming a powerhouse in national and international sports.

       He was also credited with engaging US Sports Academy coaches while elevating bodybuilding to a level that not only saw Justin Sompong become Asia’s bodybuilding champion in 1985 but Sabah hosting the prestigious Mr Olympia competition.

       Some recalled that when Sabah FA was gripped by a legal crisis, Mojuntin persuaded the Head of State Tun Mohd Adnan Robert to take over the helm and kick-started Sabah’s rise in national football.