PENAMPANG: The Sabah Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2026 organising committee has clarified its judging format following earlier confusion, confirming that all 52 finalists will compete in the grand final on May 31.
The committee said preliminary evaluations will be conducted throughout Unduk Ngadau week from May 26 to May 30.
"This year, 25 finalists will advance to a second round, up from 15 last year, before seven are selected for the final stage.
"The expanded format is intended to give participants more opportunities to showcase their potential.
"All contestants will be assessed holistically from the start of the pageant week through to the final stage," it said in a late evening statement.
In a previous official key point, it was stated that the state-level Unduk Ngadau competition would hold a pre-judging session on May 30, with only 25 finalists advancing to compete in the final on May 31.
When Daily Express reached out for clarification, committee members declined to respond.
