Kota Kinabalu: Saroop Roshi, 25, from Perak, was crowned Miss World Malaysia 2023 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), here, Friday.
The psychology student who defeated 13 other beauties at the grand finals received RM15,000, a crown and a sash.
In second place was Natalie Ang from Penang, followed by Shu Wen Chai from Sabah in third place.
Elated with the winning, Saroop said it was surreal.
“It was not an easy journey…it was a journey of hard work,” she told a press conference, Saturday.
“This is my third pageant after joining two other national level pageants in 2019.
“Miss World Malaysia is a pageant that relates and speaks to me as it connects with my life principles.
“I always believe that my role in life is bigger. I have been actively involved in my advocacy – suicide prevention, even before the pageant started.”
Saroop, the younger of two siblings, said winning the crown is the first step to further positively impacting her advocacy.
“I have been working with a small group of people from all over Malaysia who share the same mission and vision as me.
“And now, I hope to work with more people on a bigger platform,” she said.
Elaborating further on her advocacy, she said suicide prevention is close to her heart.
“When my father passed away a few years ago, I had general depressive symptoms and went for therapy.
“I realised that I had some suicidal ideations, and because of this, I wanted to show others that this is preventable.”
Suicide, she said, is a global issue.
“And preventing it is something I need to work on as a team, as no one person can do many things,” she said.
She disclosed that she spent most of her time volunteering in an all-rounded organisation, Unmasked Yourself, which was set up in 2019.
“Initially, the activities were online-based and starting last year, we work with other bodies.
“And this year, we work with a mental health clinic to provide mental health screening and group therapy to teenagers facing harassment, abuse and neglect.”
She hopes through her project, people can see that there is hope to bring them forward.
Staying true to the Miss World Malaysia Organisation’s “Beauty with a Purpose” mission, National Director Sean Wong said the pageant transcends the pursuit of a mere title.
The organisation has also embarked on a philanthropic mission, with its beneficiaries being Yayasan Nur Jauhar, Sabah Thalassaemia Society and the Palliative Care Association.
The organisation, he said, is committed to bringing relief and comfort to those facing adversity.
Throughout the pageant week, finalists participated in various activities, including visiting rural areas.
Aside from Saroop, Natalie and Shu, the finalists include Adlyn Jayne Andrew from Selangor, Ellesha Meschille (Sabah), Lyna Tan (Selangor), Maria Misha (Sarawak), Priya DK (Selangor), Rebecca Shalom (Johor), Sisnitha (Penang), Soen Tan (Sabah), Vaishanavi (Selangor), Xiao Zi (Pahang), and Yvete Jace (Sabah).
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the Miss World Malaysia 2023 Beauty Festival provides a good opportunity to showcase Sabah’s tourism attractions and inviting travellers from around the globe to come to the State.
“Tonight (Friday), the stage is set and Sabah stands ready to embrace the spotlight,” he said. Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Phoong Jin Zhe read his speech.
“With Sabah’s new tourism destination rebranding of ‘Feel Sabah, North Borneo’, we want the world to know that Sabah is situated on Borneo Island, the third largest in the world.
“The punchy tagline will also exude a fascination of Sabah’s historical past,” he said.
He added that beauty pageants are no longer merely a spectacle of beauty but have been transformed into one with purpose and for positive change.
“We applaud your efforts to use this platform, through your ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ mission. And using this to promote the potential of young minds by encouraging confidence and self-discipline.”
The Chief Minister added that the pageant’s ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ mission aptly described the capacity of pageants to go beyond to help the communities in need.
“We fully support this empowering journey,” he said.
Hajiji also acknowledged the presence of Miss World Organisation Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Julia Morley and Miss World 2022 Karolina Bielawska.
“We commend your contributions, role in inspiring positive change and support for Sabah’s tourism.
“Julia Morley’s vision has given birth to the Miss World Beauty With A Purpose mission that has reached lives, touched hearts and created lasting impacts. Well done,” he said.
