KOTA KINABALU: Sabah women leaders from both sides of the political divide have called on the police not to leave any stone unturned in their probe over allegations that a politician had sexually harassed a contestant of a state-funded beauty pageant.
State assistant community development and people’s well-being minister Julita Mojungki said the police “should go all out” to investigate the claims by the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan contestant.
Mojungki, who is also the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) information chief, said her ministry is also willing to reach out to the young woman to provide counselling and legal services.
“I believe she has been left with a traumatic experience … I regret that such a thing can (allegedly) happen in such an auspicious event,” she told FMT.
“It is a police case now but if the person is found guilty then he should be punished in accordance with the law.
“But at the same time, the contestant’s welfare and mental condition are of importance. We can reach out to her to see how we can be of assistance to her.”
Earlier, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) secretary-general Guan Dee Koh Hoi said the party had suspended one of its members alleged to have molested the pageant contestant.
The man has also been accused of roughing up a member of the security personnel at the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) hall recently.
Guan Dee said the party had decided to suspend the member from his position as a coordinator in one of STAR’s parliamentary divisions near the state capital, effective immediately, to enable smooth investigations.
The decision was taken after the allegations involving the member, which also implicated the party, went viral over social media today.
Guan Dee said the party’s disciplinary board will meet soon to decide whether to sack the person from STAR.
Prior to that, Sabah police chief Hazani Ghazali promised a thorough investigation into the claim by the contestant that she was molested by the man, said to be part of the beauty pageant’s organising team.
However, Mojungki, who is a KDCA central committee member, said the person in question had nothing to do with the association, adding he was also not part of the Unduk Ngadau organising committee.
She said he was appointed by a higher-level organising committee to be part of the event.
Sabah DAP Women’s chief Jannie Lasimbang also implored the authorities to probe the claims in detail, saying there was fear there could be a cover-up because the man is politically connected.
“We want the police to look into these allegations carefully and conduct the investigations without fear or favour, regardless of his political connections or how rich he is.
“Sexual harassment is definitely a serious crime,” she told FMT.
While commending the contestant’s bravery in coming forward, Lasimbang also urged others who may have also been wronged to come out and report to the authorities.
Former Unduk Ngadau queen Jo-Anna Henley Rampas also applauded the alleged victim for having the courage to speak up.
“Unduk Ngadau is such an auspicious cultural event and is highly embedded in the culture of the Kadazan Dusun Murut Rungut (KDMR) society. If this allegation is proved true, such an accusation has tarnished the image of the pageant.
“As a previous winner, I thank the authorities for the swift response to further investigate this matter and to ensure justice is delivered without fear or favour,” said Rampas, who is also the Warisan deputy women chief.
KDCA youth council chairman Steve Johnny Mositun said the alleged harassment will not only bring a bad name to the pageant but also the Kaamatan harvest festival itself.
“Such harassments should not have taken place as it is not only immoral but creates fear for future participants, their families and our society.
”As such, we urge the police to conduct a full investigation and for the perpetrator, if any, to be brought to court,” he said. - FMT
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