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Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
From classroom to crown: Aspiring teacher Atitih Yatih takes top Unduk Ngadau 2025 in Sabah cultural pageant
PENAMPANG, June 1 — Atitih Yatih Robert, a prospective Malay Language teacher, who was representing the Tamparuli sub-district, was crowned Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2025 during the culmination of the Kaamatan Festival at the Hongkod Koisaan Hall of the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) here tonight. Atitih Yatih, 26, a Bachelor of Education (Malay Language) graduate from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) last December and currently awaiting a teaching placement, beat 51 contestants in the traditional beauty pageant of Sabah's paddy harvest season held annually since 1960. Earlier, Atitih Yatih, who participated in the competition for the second time this year after her first attempt in 2017, was selected from the round of 15 best participants before advancing to today's last stage of the top seven finalists, who were judged on public speaking, general knowledge, heritage and cultural understanding in their mother tongue (native language). Unduk Ngadau is a traditional beauty pageant that showcases the diverse ethnic cultures and heritage of Sabah held in memory of the legendary 'Huminodun' who sacrificed herself for the bountiful harvest and well-being of her people in the religious observance (transcending folklore and legend) of the Kadazan-Dusun people. Meanwhile, when interviewed by reporters, Atitih Yatih said she initially only targeted the top seven in the competition and was breathless to emerge as the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2025. 'It is difficult for me to describe this victory because I have not yet processed this in my mind, I am still very shocked. I would like to thank all those who supported me, my family and friends who were willing to come from afar to support me. 'My plans after this depends on where I will be placed, I am waiting for my teaching placement ... as a Malay Language teacher later,' said Atitih Yatih, who hoped that this success would inspire the younger generation to preserve Sabah's culture and heritage. She received a trophy, RM15,000 in cash and various prizes presented by the wife of the Yang di-Pertua (Governor) of Sabah, Toh Puan Faridah Tussin in the spectacle and witnessed by the wife of the Chief Minister, Datin Seri Juliah Salag, and the Joint Chairmen of the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan, Datuk Joanna Datuk Kitingan and Dr Mary Gambidau. Atitih Yatih was then crowned as Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2025 by Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2024 Hyellene Danius who is also a Malay Language teacher. Second place went to Elka Alika Pijeh representing Tambunan (district) who took home a trophy, RM12,000 and accompanying prizes; while third place went to Celarin Jenny representing Kiulu who took home a trophy, RM10,000 and souvenirs. Earlier, before the final stage of the competition, the 2025 Kaamatan Festival Celebration was officially closed by the Yang dI-Pertua Negeri Sabah (Governor) Tun Musa Aman with a 'mengomot' or rice harvesting ritual and seven strikes of the gong in a ceremony of splendour also attended by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. — Bernama
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
PM Anwar: 13MP priorities guided by state-led requests, not Putrajaya alone
PENAMPANG, May 30 — The federal government always takes into consideration the needs and requests of all states in determining the priority of projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He explained that the priority of projects could not be determined solely by the federal government and, instead, is jointly decided with the state governments after their requests are heard and attended to by the Federal leadership. Citing Sabah, Anwar said that in almost every working visit he has made to the state, meetings or gatherings are held between leaders and senior federal and state officials to directly discuss requests from the state government. 'I'm not saying that 13MP (projects) do not take place, previously there are requests which are vetted by the federal ministries... now no more, (as) requests are made directly (at meetings) chaired by the prime minister, there are chief ministers, there are state ministers. 'We listen and pay attention directly. Frankly, this only happens because of uniformity, (as well as) good and close relationships due to mutual trust,' he said when officiating the Sabah state-level Kaamatan Festival celebration here today. The event, held at Dewan Hongkod Koisaan, Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), was also attended by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam and KDCA president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan. Anwar also expressed his gratitude to Hajiji and the Sabah government for their openness to cooperating with the leaders and Federal government in a bid to develop and elevate the dignity of Malaysia and Sabah. The prime minister emphasised that the spirit to strengthen Sabah must be nurtured through the strong unity between the federal and state governments within the framework of the Federation. As such, he reminded everyone not to raise issues that can erode that good relationship simply for political mileage, especially ahead of the Sabah state election. 'In the battle leading up to this election... leaders who have led before, who were together, sometimes forget just to ramp up the political atmosphere, raising issues that erode confidence in the country... this is not healthy,' he said. Anwar said the federal government and the states, particularly Sabah and Sarawak, have many diversity and differences, but this must be seen as a strength for Malaysia as a country for the wellbeing of its people. He said that when Malaysia was established, 'Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu' (Unity is Strength) was chosen as the national motto to illustrate the importance of togetherness in diversity in strengthening the country. 'Diversity can also be destructive, where there are countries in this world which initially embraced a multiracial and multi-religious society, but later experienced hostility between races, religions and regions. Which nation can be successful like that, everything will end up in ruin. 'So, no matter how difficult it is, any sensible leader in a political campaign to fight for the post of state assemblyman or member of parliament must remember never to sacrifice the state or country,' he said. — Bernama
