Better Unduk Ngadau judging system
Published on: Friday, May 30, 2025
Published on: Fri, May 30, 2025
By: Ricardi Unto Text Size: Joanna (right) explained that the format of the competition remains unchanged, beginning with 51 finalists before narrowing down to 15 and finally selecting the top 7, with two rounds of question-and-answer (Q&A) segments. Kota Kinabalu: The State Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (UNK) final judging session this year will be improved with the aid of a computerised scoring system and language interpreters, the organisers said recently. State UNK co-chairperson Datuk Joanna Kitingan, during the registration on Monday, said a new computerised scoring system would be introduced for the grand finals on May 31, with hopes it would streamline the process and allow results to be announced earlier, ideally by 5.30pm or 6pm. She added that this year's panel will consist of seven judges - an increase from the usual five. Joanna explained that the format of the competition remains unchanged, beginning with 51 finalists before narrowing down to 15 and finally selecting the top 7, with two rounds of question-and-answer (Q&A) segments. 'In the first Q&A for the top 15, finalists will be required to answer in their mother tongue or native languages, while the second Q&A for the top 7 will be judged on content, accuracy, and confidence,' she said. State UNK co-chairperson Mary Gambidau said the inclusion of interpreters for Lundayeh and Murut languages was a direct response to suggestions from netizens calling for more equitable judging in the final rounds.
Advertisement 'At this time, we are only providing interpreters for Lundayeh and Murut because Kadazan and Dusun are widely understood by most judges who are fluent in these languages,' she said. She emphasised that the interpreters will be independent professionals, not part of the organising committee, to ensure impartiality and accurate translation during the Q&A sessions. Mary also revealed that a dedicated and credible question committee, consisting of experts in the Kadazan Dusun language, was formed this year to draft thoughtful and culturally relevant questions. 'We hope the questions this year will be better,' she said. As for the scoring breakdown, the first round of judging for the 51 finalists is based on six components: natural beauty (10 per cent) assessed by the committee, overall beauty (30 per cent) by the judges, traditional attire (25 per cent), stage presence (15 per cent), discipline (10 per cent) assessed by the committee, and the CAN Video Project (10 per cent). The second round for the top 15 finalists focuses on five criteria: natural beauty (10 per cent) assessed by the committee, overall beauty (25 per cent), traditional attire (10 per cent), stage presence (15 per cent), and mother tongue usage (10 per cent) - evaluated based on fluency, content, and confidence - plus discipline (10 per cent) by the committee, totalling 80 per cent. The final round for the top 7 finalists adds a 20 per cent score from the general knowledge Q&A session, judged on content, accuracy, and confidence, making up the remaining percentage to complete the 100 per cent final mark. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Daily Express
First Unduk Ngadau commemorative stamps
Published on: Thursday, June 05, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 05, 2025 By: Lorena Binisol Text Size: Diana, granddaughter of the 1st Unduk Ngadau. PENAMPANG: History was made when the first Unduk Ngadau, the late Yong Mee Lan, was honoured with a commemorative stamp, an esteemed recognition now available at post offices across Sabah. The tribute, celebrating her contribution as the first native Sino-Kadazan Unduk Ngadau, marked 65 years since she paved the way for generations of harvest queens. It also highlighted another historical milestone for Sabah, as the Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant remained the longest-running competition in Malaysia since its inception in 1960. Her son, Danny Eber expressed gratitude for the recognition given to his mother. 'We are utterly grateful and happy our mother was honoured by having her photo on a stamp as a remembrance. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
"That night, we talked longer": Fiancée remembers guide lost in quake
RANAU: On the eve of the deadly Mount Kinabalu earthquake a decade ago, Jessica Veronica Sikta had an unusually long phone call with her fiancé, mountain guide Valerian Joannes. Normally, their conversations were brief as climbers needed rest and calls were kept short. But that night was different. "He said we could talk a bit longer because the kids (Tanjong Katong Primary School students) weren't asleep yet and they weren't starting the climb early the next day. "They planned to begin at the Walk the Torq (Via Ferrata) starting point, not go all the way to the summit. "I remember their laughter in the background. Happy, innocent sounds." It was the last time the couple spoke. Valerian was among the 18 people killed in the quake. Jessica, 35, now an endoscopy nurse specialist, said the conversation, filled with small comforts and familiar laughter, remained vivid in her memory. Ten years have passed since the 6.0-magnitude quake struck Mount Kinabalu, but the emotional aftershocks continue for those left behind. Jessica, who now works in Saudi Arabia, said the annual remembrance events bring both pain and strength. This year's commemoration had a powerful moment. Survivors Emyr Uzayr Mohamed Sadri and Prajesh Dhimant Patel, both 21, returned to summit Mount Kinabalu on May 22. "Seeing Emyr and Prajesh (on social media) reach the finish line, smiling and sharing their story, it moved me deeply. "It shows how far they've come and how those we lost continue to give us strength. "It's proof that love, memory and resilience live on. "Even without being present, Valerian and the others are still guiding us." Though a lot of time has passed, Jessica said her love for Valerian was unchanged and she prayed for him every day. The couple had planned to marry in November 2015. Valerian had even composed a Kadazan song, Igitanku Longon Nu (I Will Hold Your Hands), to sing to her on their wedding day. "I haven't moved on. I'm learning how to keep going. "I find strength in honouring his memory," Jessica said.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Daily Express
Miss Universe Malaysia's journey beyond the spotlight
Published on: Wednesday, June 04, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 04, 2025 By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: Lim in two sets of traditional attire – Murut and Lundayeh. PENAMPANG: When Miss Universe Malaysia 2024 Sandra Lim touched down in Sabah to join this year's Kaamatan festivities, few expected the reigning queen to blend so seamlessly into the cultural spirit of the Harvest Festival. But for the 25-year-old beauty queen and proud Malaysian, it was not just another appearance – it was a deeply personal journey of learning, connecting, and celebrating the richness of Sabah's indigenous heritage. Attending the State-level Kaamatan Festival from May 29 to 31, Lim made headlines not just for her title but for donning traditional outfits from various ethnic groups – Murut, Lundayeh and Kadazan – and even sporting the iconic 'sanggul gong' during the State Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (UNK) finals, a hairstyle synonymous with the cultural pageant. 'It gives me so much joy and pride to wear these traditional garments, carrying the beautiful history of our people in Sabah,' she said, visibly moved in one of her Instagram posts. 'The efforts by the organisers to preserve and showcase these cultures are incredibly inspiring.' Lim's Kaamatan experience was not a mere photo opportunity. From cheering finalists at the Randawi Tavantang Kaamatan (RTK) male pageant to dancing with the crowd at the KDCA hall, she immersed herself in every beat, every bite and every banner. 'The music, the dance, the food, the people – the experience of a lifetime. 'Thank you for welcoming me with such warmth and love. Makan-makan, menari bersama-sama, bringing me in like family,' she posted after her walkabout at the KDCA Hongkod Koisaan ground on May 30. Having competed on the world stage just months earlier in Mexico, where she placed in the Top 30 at Miss Universe 2024 – Malaysia's best result in over half a century – Lim found unexpected resonance in Sabah's homegrown pageantry scene. 'The whole vibe brought me back to my first international competition in Indonesia. Everyone was so packed and so passionate,' she recalled when met after the UNK 2025 crowning. Observing the Unduk Ngadau finalists, Lim shared how the magic of pageantry often shines brightest onstage. 'You only see the X-factor when they walk out – the way they carry themselves, talk, smile. 'The winner (Tamparuli's Atitih Yati Robert) was my pick from the start,' she smiled, proving her eye for talent remains sharp. Lim, who holds a degree in mass communications and has a background in martial arts and modelling, is no stranger to hard work. Her recent success in Miss Universe 2024, where she dazzled judges with a wushu routine in a national costume inspired by Princess Walinong Sari, brought her international acclaim. Yet back home, it is her groundedness that endears her most. 'I think the whole of Malaysia should learn from Sabah. 'The passion here, the meaning behind every culture – that is something we should carry into our future,' she said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
