MNC DEMANDS MARCEL JUDE BE BROUGHT BEFORE NATIVE COURT

Tan Sri Wences Angang

14 June 2021

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: The Momogun National Congress (MNS) has demanded that lawyer Marcel Jude be subjected to the full legal rigours of the customary law in the Native Law for his offensive remarks against the Unduk Ngadau tradition.

Marcel Jude in his notes when seeking bail for his client Phillip Among who was charged with sexually assaulting an Unduk Ngadau participant, has likened the beauty pageant to an "exotic cattle show".

The President of MNC Tan Sri Wences Angang regarded the lawyer's statement as misplaced, injurious and condescending towards the Unduk Ngadau, womenfolk and community.

"The Momogun community has always upheld its womenfolk as equal members of our society. Our people do not practise any form of gender discrimination; we celebrate achievements, victories and strengths from among our men and women with equal fierce pride and candour.

"From this deeply entrenched supportive ecosystem, we have witnessed the emergence of women of great calibre in various fields and professions," he said in a statement today.

To have someone categorically equate the young women as paraded cattle or showcase pets is deeply offensive and breaches the limits of societal decency, he added.

"It shows his (Marcel's) utter lack of understanding of the whole concept of Huminodun and the basis of why our community celebrates Kaamatan every year.

"The Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan has evolved over the years into a competition where beauty, intelligence and appreciation of culture and heritage have become the benchmark for aspiring Kaamatan queens.

"It certainly is not a contest of bodily proportions as he has proudly proclaimed," Wences lamented.