KENINGAU:The title of Unduk Ngadau has a deeper meaning than just physical appearance.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the title of Unduk Ngadau is not an ordinary show like a beauty contest.
It is a title to honour the sacrifice by Huminodun according to legends of the KadazanDusun ethnic community, he said when opening Sodop Unduk Ngadau (gala night), in conjunction with the district level Kaamatan Festival held at SMJK Ken Hwa Datuk Seri Panglima Lee Sen Hall here, on Friday night.
He told the Unduk Ngadau participants that the competition was not merely to choose who was the best.
“The main focus is to cultivate an attitude and perseverance in every participant,” said the Minister of Infrastructure Development in his text read by Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry and the state assemblyman for Liawan, Datuk Haji Sairin Karno.
Pairin said unity was the key to this year’s Kaamatan Festival celebration, and greater understanding would foster a sense of belonging and goodwill among the people of various races and religions in this state.
“It also indirectly helps maintain harmony,” he said.
He said the organization of the gala night was timely because it provided an opportunity for the people to mingle with one another.
Pairin, who is also member of parliament for Keningau said next year would be Visit Keningau 2018, and a variety of activities and development plans had been formulated and would be implemented to ensure the tourism sector in this region would be developed.
He said Visit Keningau 2018 was expected to attract many tourists and this would directly help improve the socio-economic status of the local community there.
Meanwhile, Vivian Wong Ling won the Tati Topiodo and Miss Popular titles, Natasha Mathew won the Tati Tosuau, while Miss Photogenic was won by AD Clyveranica Dingan.
Vivian also won first place in the best costume category, second place went to Grace Jorest, while third place went to Natasha Mathew. Fifteen Unduk Ngadau participants made their appearance at the gala night.
Present at the ceremony were Sairin’s wife Datin Bibi Farizan Amjad, the District Officer who is also the district level Kaamatan Festival coordinating chairman Haji Yusop Haji Osman and his wife Hajah Airanah, district police chief Deputy Superintendent Ahmad Jawila, distict KDCA chairman Robert Tawik, Keningau parliamentary liaison officer Augustine Nain, Liawan and Bingkor Community Development Leaders Sahanip Jamil and Kennedy Jie John, program director Rafie Robert, heads of state and federal government departments, members of the business community and community leaders.