Unduk Ngadau organisers demand lawyer apologise for ‘exotic cattle’ comment

KOTA KINABALU – The Unduk Ngadau organising committee are demanding an apology from the lawyer who branded the annual event as a show and display of “exotic cattle” in his submission to the court.

Cultural pageant chairman Joanna Kitingan said the Kaamatan festival is a sacred event and the 61 years of Unduk Ngadau pageants have helped indigenous Sabahans preserve their cultural identities, languages, costumes, and dignity. 

“It has also helped give our young confidence, career achievements, and involvement in community service.

“The lawyer’s statement about the Unduk Ngadau in his submission dated June 10 that it is nothing more than an exotic cattle show, even likening it to an auction show, is totally demeaning, derogatory, defamatory, and insensitive towards our Kadazandusun Murut Rungus (KDMR) culture,” she said today. 

Kaamatan is sacred to the KDMR, being based on their unique belief system and worldview. Unduk Ngadau embodies the spirit of Huminodun, the sacrificed daughter of Kinoingan and Sumundu. 

Kitingan said Unduk Ngadau has never emphasised body proportions as mentioned in the court submission. 

“He is just diverting from the real issue at hand and trying to find fault with the Unduk Ngadau, its organising committee, and the KDMR community as a whole.

“So many beauty pageants are organised in Sabah. Why pick on the Unduk Ngadau?”

Kitingan said the lawyer’s client, Philip Among, who is facing sexual assault charges, is entitled to a fair trial. 

However, she said that Unduk Ngadau rejects all forms of sexual harassment, exploitation of and violence against women, and added that such behaviour has no place in KDMR culture.

“We hereby demand that he withdraw his uncalled-for statements and apologise to the Unduk Ngadau 2021 organising committee, the state Kaamatan 2021 organising committee, and the KDMR people before we take our next action,” she said.

A court submission branding the Unduk Ngadau as an exotic cattle show and auction went viral yesterday. 

The submission statement was believed to be written by one of the lawyers representing Among, who recently claimed trial to five counts of sexual molestation. 

Several women’s groups had condemned the court submission, and a Kadazan woman lodged a police report over it. – The Vibes, June 13, 2021