Pairin
KOTA KINABALU: The Huguan Siou, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, has criticised Marcel Jude, the counsel of the politician charged with molesting an Unduk Ngadau, for not focusing on a professional plea for his client but instead, deviated into defaming and shaming KDCA (Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association).
Pairin, who is also the president of the Kadazan Dusun Association (KDCA) called on Marcel to explain what KDCA has got to do with his client’s (Phillip Among) alleged offences?
“KDCA together with the government, organized the Online Kaamatan celebrations, including the presentation of the Unduk Ngadau beauty contest, which is based on the legend of Huminodun who saved people from famine and starvation, and became an exemplary personality and a fine model for our community to follow. The Unduk Ngadau contest is an attempt to emulate the love and beauty of Huminodun for her people every year during the celebrations of KadazanDusun Harvest Festival,” Pairin explained in a statement on Monday.
He added that the contest is one of a noble objective in the search for highly capable, skillful and loving personality in the KDMR community and qualified in the Unduk Ngadau contest for that year to be the shining example of Huminodun.
Pairin also said that the contest is ruled professionally by pre-accepted regulations and norms.
“Everything is above board to ensure the enjoyment and happiness of everyone following the event is held high and meaningful and the end result reflects the conditions and quality of Huminodun,” he said.
Pairin also rebuked Marcel that as a lawyer, he has done the worst for his own profession, and stretching out beyond his professional boundaries and indulging in his personal attacks and defaming KDCA, as an association which has done everything possible in organizing with the State government, professionally and in the best interest of the community, Malaysians generally, and the people of the world who thirst for love, friendship, understanding and peace through programmes and traditional festival, such as the Tadau Kaamatan in Sabah, the Land Below the Wind.
“Since Marcel Jude has brought his shameful and defamatory statements into public arena, he should be taken to task in the right manner and through the right channels, as he has not only offended KDCA directly but everyone else who are not only members of the Association and the community but also everyone who felt and share the negative and defamatory impact arising out of Marcel Jude’s statement or part of his plea in his presentation to the honourable court to obtain the bail release for his client, Philip Among,” said Pairin.
He went on to list down actions that should be taken against Marcel Jude.
“First, his action must be reported to the police, to ensure that nothing is taken out of context and that the police have the record of the bad and unforgiveable occurrence.
“Second, an action by KDCA is warranted as Marcel Jude has shamed the innocent association and ridiculed KDCA in no uncertain manner to the extent that it paints KDCA as a shameful association with evil intentions.
“Third, in the context of our innocent and genteel community where the community tries to rise our people, especially our young girls to achieve a high standard in knowledge, education, love for their own traditions, just like other communities love their own customs and traditions and achieve a high standard in arts and skills in life and economy, it is unbelievable that Marcel Jude has gone down so low as to ignore the local customs and traditions of the KadazanDusun and literally ‘langgar adat’ (violating the customs) which need to be compensated with the proper ‘Sogit’ (penalty) by the Native Court another institution of justice found in this state Sabah,” said Pairin.