Kadazandusun Murut leader demands recompense for lawyer’s ‘exotic cattle’ remark

KOTA KINABALU – The Huguan Siou or leader of Sabah’s Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) ethnic group Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, has taken offence to the controversy surrounding the “exotic cattle show” label and sexual harassment charges linked to a state politician. 

Pairin, who is former Sabah chief minister, said while a politician has been arrested and detained over the matter, his lawyer also deviated when he defamed the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA). 

“What has KDCA got to do with his client’s alleged offences? KDCA together with the government organised the online Kaamatan celebrations, including the presentation of the Unduk Ngadau contest.

“The lawyer has done the worst for his own profession, indulging in personal attacks and defaming the KDCA,” he said here today.

KDCA, of which Pairin is also president, is the association that co-organised the annual Kaamantan harvest festival and Unduk Ngadau cultural pageant. 

The harvest festival, which ended on May 31, was mired in controversy after an Unduk Ngadau contestant filed sexual harassment charges. 

A Sabah Star politician has claimed trial to five counts of sexual harassment charges. 

Two days after posting bail, the court submission of the politician’s lawyer also caused an uproar after branding the Unduk Ngadau an “exotic cattle show”. 

While lawyer Marcel Jude Joseph has issued an apology, he was not able to remove the written submission from court. 

The KDCA also lodged a police report today.

Pairin said the lawyer has brought shameful and defamatory statements into the public arena.

“First, his action must be reported to the police, to ensure that nothing is taken out of context and that the police have the record of the bad and unforgivable occurrence. 

“Secondly, an action by the KDCA is now warranted as the lawyer has shamed the innocent association and ridiculed KDCA in no certain manner to the extent that it paints KDCA as a shameful association with evil intentions,” he said.

Thirdly, he said it is unbelievable for the lawyer to go so low as to ignore the local customs and traditions of the KDM community.

He said the lawyer “langgar adat” (broke customary laws), which needs to be given proper “sogit” (compensation) in a native court. – The Vibes, June 14, 2021