KUCHING: A first-ever Kumang and Keling jury workshop drew 50 participants, marking a new step towards strengthening judging standards and preserving the integrity of Sarawak’s cultural beauty competitions.
Deputy Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, said the initiative by the Sarawak Dayak Cultural Association (SDCA) was an important starting point in developing knowledgeable and credible cultural pageant judges.
“This is the first time such a workshop has been organised, and it is a good effort to improve the quality of judges for the future,” he said when officiating at the closing ceremony of the Kumang and Keling 2026 Jury Workshop at Serapi Hotel here today (April 18).
He noted that judges must understand the diversity of traditional attire and cultural identity across Sarawak’s many ethnic communities, particularly when evaluating Kumang and Keling contestants.
Snowdan also encouraged participants to expand their judging expertise beyond Kumang and Keling competitions to include other cultural and tourism pageants at the state and national levels.
“As judges, you must maintain integrity and fairness in your evaluation. Criticism is normal, but professionalism must always come first,” he said.
He added that the ministry continues to support cultural capacity-building programmes through funding schemes for workshops, training and traditional arts development initiatives.
To further support SDCA’s efforts, Snowdan announced a contribution of RM20,000 for future programmes.
He expressed hope that the workshop would continue in the coming years and expand to cover broader cultural judging competencies across Sarawak.
