Kota Kinabalu: The Kadazandusun Cultural Association's (KDCA) Women Council said its recent attempt to consider allowing Muslims to participate in the Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant was in response to requests from the Muslim Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) community rather than stir religious sentiments or create any controversy.KDCA Women Council and State-level Unduk Ngadau Committee Chairman Joanna Datuk Kitingan said they are responsible for keeping this tradition as original as it is and it is their job to make sure this prestigious annual Unduk Ngadau event run smoothly and according to tradition without bias.
"We have all the while ensured that the participants and our district organisers are well informed in advance that no Muslim participant is allowed.
"We had also requested that the participants sign a declaration that they are non-Muslims before the beginning of the competition at every level: village, district and state," she said.
She thanked United Sabah Islamic Organisation (Usia) President Datuk Sairin Karno for his stand on the matter.
"Point well noted on Section 91 of the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1995 (SCOE 1995)," she said, referring to Sairin's warning that Muslims taking part in the Unduk Ngadau risk being punished.
Joanna had earlier said her committee would continue efforts to get clearance for Muslim contestants to join the annual event and that it was important to practise inclusivity in the pageant as one of the ways to promote Kadazandusun culture.
On Beaufort Usia Division Chairman Datuk Lajim Haji Ukin describing Joanna's actions as "rather off the limit" and "trying to stir up the anger of Muslims in the state", Joanna said:
"Firstly, it is about culture. As stated Unduk Ngadau has been organised for a long time and its concept and objectives are already known, which is a part of a cultural event promoting Sabah annually.
"Secondly, this issue was raised because every year we receive plenty of requests to participate from the Muslim Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) community. We merely wanted to put forward their request.
"None of our State-level Unduk Ngadau Committee are Muslim, is it wrong to seek for a clarification from the right authority who are well versed in Islamic law?
"We respect our Muslim KDM community and openly welcome them and all Sabahans to learn and understand our KDM culture regardless of their race, belief and religion. Now that it has been clarified, under Sec91 of the SCOE 1995, that Muslims (except children under 12) are to be found guilty from taking part, promoting and abetting such an event, we will follow it accordingly."
She hoped with such clarification this new year will bring a fresh start for all under the New Sabah Government where religion and race should not be the source of an arising issue and 'stir' the harmonious livelihood of Sabahans.
She also hoped the Usia President, Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Yadim) Sabah Director and related Islamic authorities would fairly look into other pageants in Sabah and make sure that the said SCOE 1995 Act is followed by all pageants organisers in the State.
