Sabah urged to cancel Kaamatan beauty pageant on May 31

By Olivia Miwil - May 26, 2020 @ 11:40am

PENAMPANG: The state government has been urged to cancel the Kaamatan harvest festival's Unduk Ngadau (beauty pageant) finals at Hongkod Koisaan here, on May 31.

Kadazandusun Cultural Association Sabah (KDCA) life member Datuk Johnny Mositun made the call following an announcement by the state government Kaamatan organising committee that it will proceed with the cultural event, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Datuk Peter Anthony, who leads the committee, said that the Unduk Ngadau this year will be held online until May 29 for the top seven selections. He said the finalists would go on to the final round at Hongkod Koisaan, and that less than 50 people would be on the premises.

But Mositun is not reassured.

"I received many phone calls from concerned people believing the pageant poses health risks.

"The decision to go ahead with the Unduk Ngadau contest was done without consideration of the people's feelings," Mositun said in a statement.

In view of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), there have been no open houses in the state this Aidilfitri; while people of all religions have been barred from congregating at their respective houses of worship.

As for crowd control at Hongkod Koisaan, Mositun is sceptical, as the cultural event, which is held annually to commemorate the sacrifice of legendary "Huminodun" in exchange for a bountiful harvest, has always attracted a large audience.

He also suggested that the prize money of RM150,000 be channelled as financial assistance to those affected by Covid-19.

"The Unduk Ngadau contest is held every year to honour Huminodun's selfless sacrifices for her people.

"I believe the people will appreciate it more if we sacrifice this year's contest in place of our health and well-being," he said.