KOTA KINABALU, June 1 (Bernama) -- The Sabah Rural Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick has suggested that a Unduk Ngadau (beauty queen) association be set up to gather all former winners to help in community development programmes in the state.
He said that the association could co-operate with the government, corporate sector and numerous other strategic partners to implement community programmes encompassing the aspects of welfare, health, education, economy, family and infrastructure development in villages especially in the rural areas.
‘’I understand the winning participant will be given a one year role to be involved in community programmes. But, it can be continued if there is an official and permanent platform for them to channel their thoughts and energy for the benefit of the community,’’ he said in a statement today.
He said adroitness, leadership and authority of unduk ngadau were not only in the beauty but the spirit of Huminodun (sacrifice) which could hopefully be applied in community services which truly impacted on society.
Ewon also lauded the unduk ngadau implementing committee’s co-operation with his ministry to hold rural community development programme through the Prosperous Village Programme to simultaneously turn it into a main content in the organisation of unduk ngadau.
Meanwhile, Unduk Ngadau Committee chairman, Jo-Anna Sue Henley Rampas said the involvement of unduk ngadau in the Prosperous Village Programme was among the innovations introduced this year other than making it mandatory for the participants of the beauty queen contest to carry out a study of the ethnic cultural heritage in their respective districts.
Yesterday, Francisca Ester Nain, 25, representing Karambunai, was crowned as the 2019 Kaamatan Unduk Ngadau after beating 63 other participants at the finals at Hongkod Koisaan Hall, Penampang.
The second place went to the Pantai Manis representative, Annette Rabecca Januin while third place went to the representative from Penampang, Letica Casianus Bansin.
-- BERNAMA
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