Celebrate Kaamatan in a safe way, urges Sabah Deputy CM

KOTA KINABALU: Sabahans have been advised to celebrate Kaamatan this year by fully adhering to the standard operating procedure (SOP) put in place to contain the Covid-19 outbreak.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam (pic) said the aim of the harvest festival was to bring people together, but this was not possible at this time.

The Kaamatan month usually culminates with the Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Queen beauty pageant) winner being crowned at the end of May, with thousands of people visiting the stalls erected at Hongkod Koisaan, KDCA in Penampang during the two-day event on May 30 and 31.

Due to the pandemic, the state-level physical celebration has been cancelled.

This year, it is a virtual affair, with the beauty pageant being aired online, including the final rounds and crowning tomorrow.

Joachim, who is also the State Industrial Development Minister, urged the Kadazandusun Murut communities to mark Kaamatan moderately, saying everyone had to play a role in ensuring the fight against Covid-19 was successful.

The Chief Minister’s wife, Datin Seri Juliah Salag, attended the Unduk Ngadau Sodop Pintutunan (Gala Night) at Hongkod Koisaan on Friday night, where three subsidiary titles were awarded.

The event was live streamed on Facebook.

Tracy Sinidol from Tambunan won the subsidiary title of Tati Topiodo (Miss Natural Beauty), while Maya Hejnowska representing Api Api won the Tati Tosuau (Miss Friendly) title. Luyang’s Emily Chung took the Basaan Tinandai Togingo (Best Dress) title.