Cultural Village for Sabah

The Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has mooted the idea of creating a Cultural Village that will showcase the diverse cultures of Sabah due to its multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society.

The Deputy Prime Minister made the announcement when officiating at the Tadau Kaamatan Open house 2009 at Padang Merdeka here yesterday.

In fact the Kadazan Society Sabah (KSS) has already made a similar proposal to the State Government last year when its President, Datuk Marcel Leiking and his Supreme Council members paid a courtesy call to the Chief Minister on 19^th February 2008. One of the proposals submitted to the Chief Minister by KSS was to create a Cultural Village which is similar in concept to that of Santubong Cultural Village in Sarawak, save that in Sabah, all the indigenous ethnic groups will be accommodated to preserve their own social and cultural heritage.

A site for this purpose has already been identified by KSS and for which a formal land application, together with the project brief, was submitted to the State Government for consideration.

As the Deputy Prime Minister himself has mooted the idea of creating a Cultural Village for Sabah, KSS hopes that the State Government would give due consideration to its land application. The availability of the land would make it much easier for the Federal Government to discuss this project and in ensuring its implementation.

It is even suggested that the Federal Government should declare ‘Tadau Kaamatan’ and ‘Gawai’ Festivals as a 2-day National Public Holiday. This suggestion is in line with the proposal by the Information, Communication and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim who said that his Ministry may host next year’s National Tadau Kaamatan and Gawai Open house in Kuala Lumpur.

The proposal to declare a 2-day National Holiday is also in line with the 1Malaysia Concept propagated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to enhance the national integration process.

Kaamatan Festival Queen 2009

KAAMATAN QUEEN… Appey Rowenna (seated) is flanked by first runner-up Pearl Dianne (second right) and second runner-up Joanne Kimberly. Third runner-up, Flina Rutum of Tamparuli is at right and fourth runner-up, Jacqueline Joseph of Keningau at left.

PENAMPANG: Appey Rowenna Januin from Kampung Tomui, Papar, was crowned the 2009 Unduk Ngadau during the grand finals at the state-level Kaamatan celebrations yesterday.

The 18-year-old student said that she was totally surprised by the result because of the stiff competition in this year’s event.

However, she was happy and proud to represent Papar and promised to do her best in promoting Sabah.

Appey also expressed gratitude to her family for their constant support in pursuing her dream to be an Unduk Ngadau and dedicated her win to them.

As this year’s winner, Appey received a total of RM39,000 in cash and prizes.

The winner was crowned by Toh Puan Dayang Masuyah Awang Japar, wife of the Sabah Head of State, Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah.

The second place went to polytechnic student Pearl Dianne Petrus, 22, representing Kota Kinabalu City Hall while the third placing went to Joanne Kimberly J. Majalap, 19, from Penampang.

Adapted from NST

See the other individual contestant photographs HERE.

State-Level Kaamatan Festival 2009 Unduk Ngadau

Sunday, 31st May by Melvin Michael M The Pesta Kaamatan will culminate this Sunday, 31st of May, when all 41 of our Kadazan, Dusun and Murut Unduk Ngadau District Queens and beauties will gather for the 2009 State-Level Unduk Ngadau Beauty Pageant at Hongkod Koisaan, KDCA Hall in Penampang. Although it looks easy from the outside, being an Unduk Ngadau District Queen is by no means an easy task, as it takes a lot of courage, bravery, hard work, concentration, time and dedication to be where they are and in the position they are in representing one's own district, and we should give them all the support that we can, by cheering them on and giving words of encouragement. One negative aspect that I would like to point out is that there seems to be this persisting negative trait from some part of the audience to look down on a contestant during the Q&A session, or worst even booing, whenever a contestant needed extra time to answer her question properly or got stuck or tongue twisted with her answers. It is hoped that this year, we can change and overcome this negative attitude of these minor section of the audience into a positive one by cheering, clapping and encouraging our contestant to answer her given question in her given time, properly and without major negative distractions. If we don't start now, bila lagi kita mau support para jelitawan Unduk Ngadau kita secara positif? After all, they are like our own sisters and daughters representing Sabah, so we should always try to help one another to do well. So, who will win the Unduk Ngadau 2009 title for this wonderful year of 2009? Will Miss Penampang, Miss Joanne Kimberly J. Majalap, will she be able to make the local crowd deliriously happy by retaining the Unduk Ngadau crown for Penampang ? Will it be someone we least expected? There are a number of true beauties who are favourites out there, and I'm sure some of you have one, two or even three amongst them! Will the newly crowned Miss Natural Beauty, Miss Flina Rutum from Tamparuli has a say in the final rounds? & what about Miss Beaufort, Miss Friendly, Affy Jackleyinda Entawin, will she be in the final rounds as well? What about Miss Kota Marudu, Miss Sandakan, Miss DBKK, Miss Tenom or Miss Ranau? So, who will be the newly crowned Unduk Ngadau Queen for 2009? The Unduk Ngadau begins at 1.00pm this Sunday. Let us all come and enjoy the Kaamatan celebration this Sunday, and enjoy the Unduk Ngadau eager with anticipation and full of excitement. Marilah datang beramai-ramai, kio! Aramaitii!

Some pictures taken at Hamin Penampang yesterday, 30th May 2009

Some of the KSS Supreme Council Members at Hamin Penampang

Datuk John Sikayun & Sylvester J. Disimon with the guests from MCA led by Datuk Paul KOng.

YB Datuk Edward Khoo, ADUN from Kepayan, being surrounded by Kadazan ladies in Sumazau.

Datuk Clarence B. Malakun entertaining his guests.

Douglas and Sahidin with Unduk Ngadau from Beaufort.

Sylvester took the opportunity to talk one of the Unduk Ngadau contestants (41 of them) when they visited Hamin Penampang.

The Unduk Ngadau from Pitas who Douglas fancies to win the title of State Level Kaamatan Unduk Ngadau 2009.

Harvest Festival Beauty Contestants 2009

See Individual Photographs HERE

There are 41 Beauty (Unduk Ngadau) Contestants taking part for this year's Kaamatan Festival Beauty Queen pageant which will be held on 31st May 2009 at Hongkod Koisaan as follows:

CINDY CELESTINE SIPILIS (TAWAU) GILDA J JOEPLIK (SANDAKAN) ELINNA MASUIN (LIKAS) DEIZI SEBASTIAN MOJINU (WP LABUAN) JOVENEA JIM LAJIM (KLANG VALLEY) HULLIWTA ELISER (TUNGKU) SARIMAH TANGKUNGON (PEGALUNGAN) EMILDA ALBERT (PAITAN) LYDIA BINIDIK (KEMABONG) SHERON OLGA FEDILIS (SOOK) DIANA NGOAI (MENUMBOK) JENIFFER DAVID (TELUPID) VICTORIA YAM PEI LING (KUNAK) EAROZIANA ELVY VENTURE (TONGOD) WANDA HENDRYANA PIUS (LAHAD DATU) JUKINI GAMIUS (SEMPORNA) JOANNE BERNADETTE JOHN (BELURAN) GLORIA LYNE BAMI (KINABATANGAN) ROUNNAH BAB ROBERT SYLVESTER (TENOM) AFFY JACKLEYINDA ENTAWIN (BEAUFORT) JOVETTA JOPRINE (KUALA PENYU) ROZYANAH MUTANG (SIPITANG) STELLA NAKARAN (RANAU) JACQUELINE JOSEPH (KENINGAU) EFAHRINA NICHOLAS (TAMBUNAN) WINEH DIWALANG (NABAWAN) RACHEL MARTINUS (INANAM) PEARL DIANNE PETRUS (DBKK) ELSIE R MARIUS (TANJUNG ARU) MAYLESTHELYN MATIUS (PUTATAN) JOANNE KIMBERLEY J MAJALAP (PENAMPANG) APPEY ROWENNA JANUIN (PAPAR) CECELIA RIYMANTE (MEMBAKUT) LAINE TINGGANGAU (KOTA MARUDU) ERRA QUENCY VICTOR (KOTA BELUD) FREDERICKA CAMILLA RICHARD DAUT (TUARAN) FLINA RUTUM (TAMPARULI) JACQUELINE MONALISA (BANGGI) LYNNESTHERWENNS MASUIN (KUDAT) CLARENCENA KADIUS (MATUNGGONG) EVILIN MATHIS (PITAS) Organising chairperson, Jornah Mozihim, said the event this year, the highlight of a month-long Pesta Kaamatan, would see several surprises. "The organising committee has invited 10 former Unduk Ngadaus to parade evening gowns from a Kuala Lumpur bridal shop," she said. Expressing delight with the 100 per cent representation of contestants, she said that during the "Sodop Unduk Ngadau" dinner at Hongkod Koisaan at 6pm on Thursday, Miss Malaysia-Universe Deborah Henry would be making a special appearance. Coming from a different background and ethnic group but with one aim - to win the title of State Unduk Ngadau - the 41 lasses would be given a tour of the State Museum on Saturday. They would also be required to attend a motivational and educational seminar and a grooming and make-up session. On Sunday, 15 finalists will be chosen after the first round and seven after the second round before the ultimate queen and runners-up are chosen. They would be grilled on their knowledge and ability to answer questions. The legendary Huminodun is said to possess good character, personality, beauty and values but is also knowledgeable. On other developments, Jornah said the table tickets for the Sodop Unduk Ngadau dinner at Hongkod Koisaan on Thursday is sold out. "However, we still have gallery tickets available at the entrance on that day," she said. All proceeds from the gallery tickets would be donated to the Sabah Thallaesemia Association". Adapted from Daily Express