Malaysian lawyer Marcel Jude Joseph reached a deal with local native leaders after he insulted the Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant by comparing it to a cattle show.

The annual event forms part of the Kaamatan harvest festival celebrated by the Kadazandusun peoples in Sabah, a state of Malaysia on the northern part of Borneo.

Mr Joseph has also agreed to publish a half-page public apology for his insult, made during a court hearing, in a local newspaper of his choice, The Star reports.

A spokesperson for the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) said: “On behalf of KDCA and all the associations affiliated with us, we have agreed not to pursue legal action against Jude, and we consider this matter closed.

“Therefore, we are asking the whole Kadazandusun community to bury the hatchet and do what we have always done, which is to promote peace and reconciliation.”