Sharifah wins inaugural Ratu Serimpak beauty contest
TUARAN: Sharifah Norkhatijah Sharif Yusof has won the inaugural Ratu Serimpak 2017 held in conjunction with the earth-breaking ceremony of the Sabah Bajau Sama Cultural Centre by the Chief Minister at Kampung Lok Batik near here on Saturday.
Sharifah, 22, represented the Sabah Bajau Sama Association (PBSS) Tenghilan branch, whose chairman is Raisin Gagah. First runner-up was Farhanizan Jubilee, 23, representing PBSS Keningau, and in third place was Nuralieza Asli, 21, from PBSS Tuaran.
Anibatriasyia Azlan Iskandar, 20, of PBSS Kota Belud was fourth, while Nurazatul Nisha Kaspari, 17, of PBSS Tamparuli came in fifth.
All the winners received their prizes from Datin Seri Hajah Juliah Salag, wife of Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Hj Hajiji Hj Noor, who is PBSS president.
In performing the ceremony, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Hj Aman announced that he had approved RM7.5 million for the construction of the centre. The State Government had earlier approved a piece of land for the purpose and RM500,000 for site preparation work.
Present at the ceremony were Tuaran member of parliament and federal minister Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau; Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, and State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman. Also present were PBSS deputy president Datuk Musbah Jamli, PBSS vice-president, Datuk Japlin Akim and Tuaran district officer AM Ibnu AK Baba.
The Ratu Serimpak is not just another beauty contest. It is more a cultural activity not unlike the Unduk Ngadau of the Kadazandusun community.
Serimpak is the headgear worn by Bajau Sama ladies while the headgear worn by the men is the Tanjak.
It is believed that this is the first time a State-level Ratu Serimpak is held with the contestants coming from all over Sabah.