History
Malaysia’s involvement in the Miss World pageant dates back to 1960, when Eric Morley extended the first official invitation to then-Malaya. [3] [4] The inaugural Miss World Malaysia pageant was held on 20 April 1963 at Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, to select the nation’s first representative following the formation of Malaysia. The title was awarded to 19-year-old Catherine Loh, who represented Brunei. [5] Loh, a three-time Miss Brunei, was crowned by French actress Capucine in a ceremony attended by 30 contestants from across the Malaysian federation. [6]
On 7 August 2018, the Miss World Malaysia pageant came under the new management of Fantastic Golden Sdn. Bhd., which was officially appointed as the national licensee. Singaporean singer, songwriter, and social entrepreneur Sean Wong, was named national director by Julia Morley, chairwoman of the Miss World Organisation. [7] [8] Miss World Malaysia 2018 was held on 8 September at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), marking the first time the national pageant took place in Sarawak. [9] The event featured 12 finalists and culminated in the crowning of Larissa Ping from Sarawak. [10] [11] The pageant was officiated by Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and was attended by dignitaries including Tourism Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, underscoring high-level endorsement of the event. The competition was also supported by the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture marking a strategic effort to elevate Sarawak's cultural profile and promote tourism through the Miss World Malaysia platform.
2020–present
The COVID‑19 pandemic forced the Miss World Malaysia pageant to adapt its format. In 2021, the national competition was held virtually due to the pandemic for the first time via the HyperLive platform, allowing contestants to participate virtually across the country. This marked a shift from traditional in-person events to a digital-first experience, allowing contestants to still showcase their talents, advocacy, and beauty in a safe and engaging manner.
From 2021 onwards, Miss World Malaysia titleholders have strongly emphasised purpose-driven platforms through the “Beauty With A Purpose” initiative. Winners like Dr. Lavanya Sivaji, Wenanita Angang, and Saroop Roshi championed causes such as Indigenous health equity, [12] autism therapy via hippotherapy, [13] and mental health advocacy for underprivileged youth. [14] These efforts reflect the pageant’s transformation into a platform for meaningful social impact.
On 31 January 2022, it was officially announced via Instagram that Wong had also acquired the local franchises for Miss Supranational Malaysia and Miss Grand Malaysia, further expanding the organisation’s presence within the international pageantry scene. [15] [16] [17] Since 2022, the national competition have been consistently held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, reinforcing Sabah’s growing role as a host venue. [18] [19] The pageant were promoted in collaboration with Sabah tourism stakeholders and attended by dignitaries to showcase Malaysia’s diversity and tourism potential. [20]
Additionally, in 2024, the Miss World Beauty With A Purpose Tour in Sabah in July 2024 actively involved Sabah tourism stakeholders and local dignitaries, including Sabah’s Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, showcasing environmental and community activities that served tourism branding goals. [21] [22]
Host County
In 1986, in response to growing accusations of Western bias in the judging process, Miss World organisers decided to relocate the preliminary segment of the competition to Macau. At first, Eric Morley, founder of the pageant, made efforts to bring the 1986 edition to Malaysia. The underlying motivation was to address growing criticisms of Western bias in the judging process. However, despite initial interest and discussions with local organisers, negotiations could not be finalised due to logistical, financial, and possibly cultural concerns. As a result, the plan was shelved, and the pageant continued to be held in its traditional host city, London. [23]
Sarawak had previously withdrawn its bid to host the Miss World pageant due to inadequate facilities, plans were revived in 2003 with the assurance that Kuching could become a future venue once a new convention centre with a 5,000-seat capacity was completed. On 15 April 2003, then Minister of Tourism, Datuk Abang Johari Tun Openg, expressed confidence that Kuching City would be ready to host the international pageant by 2005 or 2006. [24]
Fatwa
Since 1996, a fatwa issued by the National Fatwa Council declared that it is forbidden for Muslim women to participate in or organise beauty pageants that select representatives for international competitions. This edict was gazetted under the Administration of Islamic Laws (Federal Territories) Act 1993.
In Miss World Malaysia 2013, four Muslim finalists were disqualified after the Federal Territories Mufti, Datuk Wan Zahidi Wan Teh reaffirmed the fatwa’s authority, prompting official intervention by JAWI (Federal Territory Islamic Department). [25] [26] Organisers were instructed to disqualify them, and investigations were initiated under the Syariah Criminal Offences Act (Federal Territories) 1997 for alleged violations and potential insult to religion. [27] The disqualification of the four Muslim finalists in 2013 was not unprecedented. [28] This was not the first time the issue of Muslim participation in beauty pageants had surfaced. In 2001, a similar controversy arose when Norazlin Johari, a Muslim finalist from Sarawak, was disqualified from competing, reportedly due to religious sensitivities. [29] These recurring incidents reflect the long-standing tension between religious edicts and national beauty pageants in Malaysia. [30] [31]
The rulings received public criticism, particularly from civil society groups such as Sisters in Islam, who argued the ban was overly restrictive and infringed on personal freedoms. They questioned whether attire or participation in a pageant should warrant legal or religious exclusion. [32]
As a result, Muslim women have since been effectively barred from Miss World Malaysia and similar national pageants. This has shaped the demographic of past titleholders with Rahima Orchient Yayah noted as the last Muslim woman to compete before the matter became legally variable.
Notable winners
- Catherine Loh (1963) – She was born in Beaufort, North Borneo, and raised in Brunei Town, she represented Brunei in Miss Malaysia 1963. That same year, she became the first Bruneian woman to compete on the international stage, finishing in the top 14 at Miss World 1963. [33] [34]
- Michelle Yeoh (1983) – She placed 18th at Miss World 1983, narrowly missing the top 15 finalists. Nevertheless, she was known internationally for her roles in the 1997 James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies and the Chinese-language martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). [35] [36] In 2023, she won her first Academy Award making her the first Asian woman to win an Oscar for lead actress. [37]
- Samantha Schubert (1991) – She placed 20th overall in Miss World 1991, though only the top 10 were selected as finalists. She made a successful career as a model, actress and producer, she later moved to Los Angeles to focus on acting. In 2015, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away on 25 April 2016. [38]
- Erra Fazira (1992) – A well-known Malaysian actress, singer, model, TV presenter, and film producer. [39]
- Rahima Orchient Yayah (1994) – In Miss World 1994, she made history as the first and only Muslim woman from Malaysia to reach the top 10 finalists. [40] She is now a successful businesswoman in Malaysia. [41]
- Lina Teoh (1998) – She finished as the second runner-up at Miss World 1998 — Malaysia’s highest-ever placement in the pageant. [42] She took up acting and she also hosted numerous TV shows.
- Deborah Henry (2007) – A successful model, TV host, actress, and humanitarian. Her performance during the pageant was considered as one of the country's best performances in the pageant's history although she only finished at the top 16. Beyond entertainment, she is the co-founder of Fugee School, an education initiative for refugee children, and has been widely recognised for her philanthropic work across Asia. [43] She also serves as a refugee-rights advocate for the UNHCR Malaysia and as a children’s rights advocate with World Vision. [44]
- Wincci Soo (2008) – The first titleholder to receive a PhD. [45] In 2022, she was appointed as an Associate Professor at Universiti Teknologi MARA and also released a trilingual single titled “Como Esta.”
- Thanuja Ananthan (2009) – Following her pageant success, she carved a multifaceted career in modelling, television, and acting across Malaysia and Singapore. [46] She is also a passionate animal advocate serving as an ambassador for SPCA Malaysia. [47]
- Dewi Liana Seriestha (2014) – The first titleholder to win the Miss World Talent award in Miss World 2014. Overall, she finished at the top 25 quarter-finalists. [48]
Editions
| Year | Date | Pageant Venue | Entrants |
|---|
| 1963 | April 21 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur | 30 |
| 1964 | October 9 | 14 |
| 1965 | October 9 | 14 |
| 1966 | October 10 | 14 |
| 1971 | August 30 | 14 |
| 1973 | October 27 | 14 |
| 1974 | October 27 | Nirwana Ballroom, Hilton Hotel, Kuala Lumpur | 14 |
| 1975 | October 28 | 14 |
| 1977 | October 7 | 14 |
| 1982 | September 25 | Rampaisari Ballroom, Merlin Subang, Selangor | 14 |
| 1983 | October 1 | Ipoh City Hall, Ipoh, Perak | 14 |
| 1985 | October 1 | Merlin Subang Hotel, Selangor | 14 |
| 1986 | September 27 | Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur | 18 |
| 1987 | September 15 | Rampaisari Ballroom, Merlin Subang, Selangor | 14 |
| 1988 | September 14 | Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur | 14 |
| 1989 | September 19 | 14 |
| 1991 | November 4 | Concorde Hotel, Wisma Concorde, Kuala Lumpur | 13 |
| 1992 | August 23 | Crown Princess Hotel, Kuala Lumpur | 14 |
| 1993 | August 15 | Grand Mahkota Ballroom, Istana Hotel, Kuala Lumpur | 15 |
| 1994 | September 10 | Crown Princess Hotel, Kuala Lumpur | 16 |
| 1995 | August 18 | The Legend Hotel, Kuala Lumpur | 20 |
| 1996 | September 15 | 20 |
| 1997 | September 13 | 20 |
| 1998 | September 25 | Grand Hall, Renaissance Hotel, Kuala Lumpur | 20 |
| 1999 | August 20 | 19 |
| 2000 | August 23 | 19 |
| 2001 | August 10 | 20 |
| 2002 | August 23 | 20 |
| 2003 | September 5 | 20 |
| 2004 | August 21 | 14 |
| 2005 | September 8 | Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur | 18 |
| 2006 | July 28 | Sime Darby Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur | 19 |
| 2007 | May 25 | Palace of the Golden Horses Hotel, Kuala Lumpur | 16 |
| 2008 | August 9 | 20 |
| 2011 | August 20 | Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, Selangor | 26 |
| 2012 | July 13 | Zouk Club, TREC Holdings, Kuala Lumpur | 17 |
| 2013 | August 1 | Corus Hotel, Hampshire Residence, Kuala Lumpur | 15 |
| 2014 | August 30 | 21 |
| 2015 | August 29 | 20 |
| 2016 | August 28 | 20 |
| 2018 | September 8 | Borneo Convention Centre, Sarawak | 12 |
| 2019 | October 6 | Mega Star Arena, Kuala Lumpur | 20 |
| 2021 | October 16 | Virtual Pageant | 39 |
| 2022 | August 27 | Sabah International Convention Centre, Sabah [49] [50] | 14 |
| 2023 | August 25 | 14 |
| 2024 | December 3 | 11 |
Requirements
Requirements for participants of the Miss World Malaysia election: (2018) [51]
- Malaysian citizen, ages 17 to 28.
- Non-Muslim and not married or divorced or have had children.
- Must be able to communicate well in English and Bahasa Melayu.
- Preferably special expertise or achievements in various fields (music, dance, singing, leadership, etc.)
Taanusiya Chetty