KOTA KINABALU: Frenerietta Sobitun of Sandakan district is the new State Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Queen).

       The 25-year-old beat 43 hopefuls in the finale held at the Hongkod Koisan Hall in Penampang near here, Tuesday (May 31).

       She took over title from last year's reigning queen, Maya Hejnowska and bagged over RM120,000 worth of prizes that includes a scholarship and cash prize.

       The last time a representative from Sandakan won the title was in 1996.

       The second and third place winners of the Harvest Queen contest went to Esther Marius of Papar district and Deedee Cassendra of Ranau district.

       Esther won RM53,000 worth of prizes, while Deedee brought home RM46,000 worth of prizes. The fourth to seventh place winners also received prizes.

       They are Penampang’s Carolyn Tony (4th place), Kiulu’s Allveanna Loimin (5th place), Kota Marudu’s Evanatie Sannie and Inanam’s Sylvernie Belinda (7th place).

       As the new Unduk Ngadau, Frenerietta will be representing Sabah in numerous social and cultural programmes to promote its cultures, among other things.