COMMENT | Sabah has made it to national news headlines and this time, it was not about any elections but about a sexual harassment case connected to the most celebrated symbolic event in Sabah.

The Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (UNK) beauty pageant shot to national fame for the wrong reason, unfortunately.

In Sabah’s context, the UNK pageant is unlike any other beauty pageants. It was based on the origin of the Kadazans, Dusuns, Muruts, and Rungus’ (KDMR) history to memorialise the spirit of Huminodun – a brave and selfless sacrifice of Ponompuan, an indigenous maiden, for the greater good of her people ensuring bountiful harvest for times to come.

Starting in the 1940s, Unduk Ngadau has been a tradition to promote the indigenous people’s culture in conjunction with Kaamatan harvest festival throughout May – making it the biggest cultural platform in the state. Prolific business moguls and ministers clash for publicity priority, it is like the "Hunger Games" to have a seat at this prestigious entity.

Therefore, it has never lacked support from sponsors and the state government for many decades now. Due to that, it became interrupted with commercial arrangements rather than staying true to the essence of Huminodun which is about her courage and sacrifice for a cause beyond herself.

Initially, the UNK pageant's organising committee meant for it to be about empowering young KDMR women to delve deep into their culture and traditions and improve their knowledge about tribal histories and their heritage...

However, there is a catch – before any young native woman gets to do that, first, she must be pretty, speak fluently in her own native tongue, meet the weight requirement, and be aged between 18 and 27. The pageantry criteria are...