In his written bail application for Among, Marcel Jude had likened the beauty pageant to an “exotic cattle show” and an “auction show”, prompting many to hit out at him.

They included Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Youth Council chairman Joanna Kitingan, who urged the lawyer representing the former STAR leader to retract his remarks and apologise.

“I sincerely, unreservedly and wholeheartedly apologise for the relevant parts of the court submission which have caused hurt, pain and suffering.

“I, therefore, make this sincere apology to all Unduk Ngadaus throughout Malaysia from the beginning of the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan beauty pageant, until the year 2021,” Jude said in a statement today.

He also directed his apology to the committees that were in charge of the Kaamatan celebrations and the beauty pageant, as well as “every person of the Kadazan Dusun of Sabah”.

However, he clarified that he did not mention the parts in question at the magistrates’ court although it was in his written submission, adding that this can be confirmed by others in the courtroom at the time.

Jude also said he could not withdraw his written submission as it was res judicata (a matter decided), adding that the bail application could not be re-litigated.

“The offending paragraphs as claimed by Kitingan were made for the purpose of court proceedings. It was not made with any emotion or malice or intention to provoke or to hurt.

“It was made to defend my client. In essence, it was done as part of my job and it is not possible to tell me how I should carry out my professional duties. If I fail in my duty, I remain liable to be sued for professional negligence by my client,” he said.

He said there were no grounds for defamation as his remarks were not directed at any particular person or organisation, and maintained that it was not an attack on the Kaamatan festival or the Kadazan Dusun Murut people.

Jude said the prosecution had requested for bail to be posted at RM100,000 for Among, which was why he was trying his best to ask magistrate Jessica Ombou Kayakun to set a lower amount.

The court granted Among bail of RM8,000 for each charge with two local sureties while awaiting his pre-trial case management, which has been set for July 14, 21 and 22.

Among had pleaded not guilty to five charges of outraging the modesty of two women, including an Unduk Ngadau contestant.