KOTA KINABALU: Viru Nikah Terinisip, the Unduk Ngadau winner of the Johor branch of Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) may be stripped of her crown over her recent controversial video.
KDCA president Huguan Siou (Kadazandusun paramount leader) Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan Association's central committee has proposed to Johor KDCA to strip Viru's crown after a thorough discussion and due consideration of the matter.
"We are saddened over what has happened. This became our concern because Viru is the Unduk Ngadau winner of KDCA Johor.
"So, like it or not when we discussed, the central committee agreed on a proposal to withdraw the crown from the Johor Unduk Ngadau winner.
"We had to do this after weighing all factors including opinions from the Council of Elders and Bobolian (ritual leaders).
"We hope it will not happen again," he told the media at a press conference after the launching of Hongkod Avenue here.
Kitingan added he believed Viru, popularly known as "Duyung Darat", would accept any decision.
It is understood that Johor KDCA would make the final decision, as Viru earned the title after winning it last year. Viru then represented KDCA Johor at the State Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan competition.
Previously it was reported that KDCA were deliberating on action to be taken against a KDCA branch Unduk Ngadau winner over a controversial video that sparked outrage among netizens.
Yesterday (April 7), Viru posted a one-minute 53-second clip video on her social media pages to apologise, saying that she would accept it if her title was revoked.
"I sincerely apologise to KDCA, Johor KDCA and the public who were offended by my video post.
The Unduk Ngadau competition is a cultural beauty pageant that is one of the highlights of the Kaamatan festival in Sabah.
This traditional event started in 1958 as the Jesselton Rural Beauty Queen. From 1960 to 1970, it was known as the Miss Kadazan pageant, Miss Harvest Festival (1971-1980); Ratu Pesta Menuai 1981-1986 and Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (1987 to present).