Without swimsuit segment: Kota Kinabalu to host Miss World Malaysia pageant
Published on: Saturday, April 15, 2023
Liew (centre), flanked by Dr Wong (on her right) and the Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary II Alesia Sion, with the pageant organisers. Second from right is Sabah Tourism Board (STB) Chief Executive Officer Noredah Othman.
Kota Kinabalu: The State Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry has endorsed the organising of the Miss World Malaysia 2023 pageant in Sabah, tentatively to be held on August 25 this year.Its Minister Datuk Christina Liew assured the organisers of support within the capacity of the Ministry.
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“I would like to see this prestigious event happening in Sabah as we regard the contestants as tourism ambassadors. We expect them to help promote Sabah as a tourist destination by sharing their experience here.
“At the same time, I would be happy if this pageant can attract tourists from around the world, and not just Malaysians from throughout the country,” she said after a courtesy call by event officials from HyperLive (Singapore) and Sabah-based Fantastic Golden Sdn Bhd (Main Organiser of Hyperlive Festival Malaysia).
According to the organisers, Miss World Malaysia 2023, as part of HyperLive Festival Malaysia, will be held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). Over 1,000 guests are expected to attend. It is estimated that there will be 25 to 30 finalists selected to come to Sabah for the event.
In his briefing, Hyperlive Entertainment CEO and National Director of Miss World Malaysia, Dr Sean Wong, said the organisers specially chose Sabah as the destination for Miss World Malaysia 2023, the second year in a row.
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“We focus very much on tourism. We all love this place. We are using this big-scale national event to promote Sabah tourism.
“Every Malaysian finalist must come to Sabah to compete. The winner can be from any state. This year’s Miss World Malaysia will represent Malaysia at the Miss World Final for 2024.
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“Hence, she becomes an ambassador for tourism. She can promote Malaysia, and may gain global followers by the millions on social media platforms,” he explained.
(Last year’s winner of Miss World Malaysia 2022 pageant is Wenanita Anggang, a Sabahan. She will be representing Malaysia in the Miss World 2023 Grand Final to be held in UAE this year).
In response to concerns raised by Liew, Dr Wong assured that there will be no swimsuit segment for Miss World Malaysia.
“Going by the contestants’ traditional attire, this pageant is a portrayal of culture, apart from the requirement to showcase their talents. In fact, they will take part in a debate to score points in order to get to the Miss World Finals 2024,” he said, adding that the 72-year-old Miss World Pageant is unique as a powerful empowerment platform for women.
“We are looking for 130 ambassadors from 130 countries to vie for honours at the final next year. The winner will go around the world to do charity work.”
Also present were Fantastic Golden Sdn Bhd Director Eric Goh and Business Development Director Bernard Chow.
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