KOTA KINABALU – Sabah’s annual celebration of the Kaamatan Harvest Festival has erupted in controversy again, this time over a popular beauty pageant.
The holding of the Unduk Ngadau beauty contest has come under public scrutiny after a “vote-buying” mechanism was introduced whereby people have to pay to cast their votes to determine the winner.
Some netizens have criticised it as an exploitation of women. The votes account for 60% of the judging criteria while 40% is based on the judges’ evaluation.
The Unduk Ngadau pageant is part of the Kaamatan festival in remembrance of Huminodun, a sacred mythology of the Dusun people on a young woman who sacrificed herself to bring about a bountiful harvest.
An online petition has been launched to stop the vote-buying mechanism.
In a latest update today, the organiser announced changes to mitigate the controversy, including the announcement that the judging will no longer be based on the highest votes.
Pageant chairperson Joanna Kitingan issued an apology over the new mechanism and in defence said that the cost for organising the beauty pageant continues to rise each year.
She said a gala dinner usually held each year for the purpose of raising funds was also cancelled due to the pandemic.
“However, we still have to find ways to raise funds to pay for all the other expenses such as organisational expenses, accommodations for the contestants, food and drinks, transportation, and the prizes,” she said.
“This year of the pandemic indeed has been very challenging. We thought it would be easier to have the Unduk Ngadau contests being done partly online. However, the technicalities have proven to be more expensive than otherwise.”
The selection of the 21 finalists is scheduled to be made today.
Kitingan said that the finalists will no longer be based on the pay-to-vote system, although it would still be used for the “Popular Title”, a subsidiary title.
“With regards to the funds collected from the votes, whatever money that has been collected will be donated to charity,” said Joanna adding that it would go to the Makatip Shelter Home for needy girls in Tambunan, some 80 kilometres from here.
Displeasure raised on social media
Previously, the organising of this year’s celebration – dubbed “Borderless Kaamatan Festival”, as it is held virtually due to the pandemic – had come under the spotlight when the budget committee put a RM3 million price tag to organise the event.
But the Sabah government had already pegged the cost at RM1.5 million, half of the cost the Kaamatan organisers were looking for.
In the latest controversy, the Unduk Ngadau organisers had called for the public to spend a minimum of RM10 for 20 votes for one contestant.
Only those who make such a payment pledge would be given access to the live streaming of the finals.
A total of 21 finalists will be selected as part of the voting system from 79 contestants.
Several contestants have voiced their opinions about the vote-buying, and at least one of them is not keen on it.
Maya Hejnowska, who is the Kota Kinabalu Unduk Ngadau has taken to social media over the new judging mechanism, saying that the voting system has taken away the essence and meaning of the competition.
“For those in the rural areas or contestants who are not well off, how will they be able to afford to vote many times just to get their Unduk Ngadau representatives to compete in the finals?
I also wonder where the money is going? It is not going to any charity or organisation. So where is it exactly going?
“Will the voting money be used for the contestants or will it be used as a cash prize for the winner? Or what? Nobody knows?” she said.
An online petition creator, who is only identified as “Orang Kampung”, said the new move is unfair and would also tarnish the reputation of the organiser.
“During this pandemic, people are struggling with their own economic (situation) and it will not be fair for high potential candidates to become the example of Huminodun.
“Not all contestants are from wealthy families and such experience will give life-changing opportunity for them.
“It is hoped that the organiser will not make Kaamatan festival a platform for ‘easy money’ and tarnish the event due to bad decision from them,” the petition said.
On the official Facebook page of Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan to You-UNK2U, netizens are also questioning the vote-buying controversy.
Among them was Flanegan Bainon who said: “Buying votes? Many people have lost their income, and there is also no statement on how that money is to be used.
“It is suspicious, it is better to go for K-Pop which is free and more entertaining.” – The Vibes, May 24, 2021
