KOTA KINABALU: Winning the crown is every beauty pageant contestant’s dream but losing is not the worst outcome they can face these days.

       It is instead, online insults they have to contend with due to the rise of technology and the Internet but Melonia Lineri Loganathan showed class and grace when netizens made body-shaming comments over social media recently.

       Melonia, who is of mixed KadazanDusun and Indian parentage, was competing as a finalist in the Unduk Ngadau pageant at the Tambunan district level which was streamed live on Facebook when some hurled unsavoury remarks about her appearance.

       Screenshots of brutal comments, some of which bordered along racial lines, went viral almost instantly, prompting a backlash from her fans who condemned the tactless criticisms.

       While she did not come out tops at the district-level event which would have seen her secure a place at the state finals at the end of this month, Melonia, however, won many admirers after how she handled the cyberbullies.

       Speaking on her social media account, the 18-year-old said she was touched by the words of encouragement given by her supporters who had come to her defence.

       “The support you have given is immaculate to the point I am not even bothered about the negative comments already. I’m okay, don’t worry.

       “The relevant parties have also apologised personally to me (and) I have forgiven them. It’s okay, everyone makes mistakes right?” she said.

       Melonia went on to say that everyone should take what transpired as a lesson. She also underlined the importance of putting a halt to body-shaming.

       “Don’t be afraid to push out of your comfort zone. If I don’t fit into the beauty standards, I will be the new beauty standard,” she said.

       Melonia’s tenacity and elegance won praise from the Sabah Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (UNK) organising committee chairperson Joanna Kitingan who also called out the cyberbullies.

       “When I called Melonia, she was very calm about the whole thing and thanked those who supported her.

       “I am indeed very sad and flabbergasted to read such comments,” she said on Tuesday.

       Kitingan said she had also given motivational talks to Unduk Ngadau finalists in Keningau and Tambunan.

       “I gave them an essay to write entitled ‘Who Am I?’, asking why they wanted to join the pageant.

       “Most of them who are first timers really wanted to have the confidence to speak in their mother tongues in public and also to know their culture on a deeper level,” Kitingan said.

       Held yearly during the Kaamatan month throughout May, the UNK pageant is held to commemorate the legend of the kind and beautiful Huminodun.

       The daughter of KadazanDusun gods Kinoingan and Sumundu, Huminodun sacrificed her life to save the people from a famine.

       Today, the Unduk Ngadau remains a symbol of beauty and portrays what a true Sabahan woman is.