KUCHING, August 27: Four Sarawakians are still in the running for the prestigious Miss World Malaysia 2018 finale, which will be held here for the first time ever this Sept 8.
In this year’s edition, more than 70 women made a bid for the glamorous crown, but following weeks of evaluations and elimination rounds in Kuching and Kuala Lumpur, 18 have been picked as semi-finalists.
Tomorrow, the list will be further trimmed to only 12 for the grand finale at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), where Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg will be the guest-of-honour.
Today and tomorrow, the semi-finalists receive makeovers from professional stylists and participate in photo shoots in a 2-day bootcamp. At the end of the bootcamp tomorrow, an elimination round will be conducted to pick the 12 for the glittering night on Sept 8.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah revealed that a host of celebrities would also be present at the finale, namely Malaysian supermodel and actress Amber Chia, Malaysian model and actress Carmen Soo, famed Chinese actress Tong Bing Yu, Miss World Malaysia 2014 and Miss World Talent 2014 Dewi Liana Seriestha, Miss World Malaysia 2015 Brynn Lovett, Miss Cheongsam Sarawak 2016 Sapphire Wong and award-winning songwriter Imran Ajmain.
“This is the first time Sarawak hosts the prestigious Miss World Malaysia — a very grand event,” he told a press conference at Hilton Kuching this afternoon.
The winner of Miss World Malaysia 2018 will be crowned with a tiara made of 530.15 carats of sapphire (168 pieces), 102.55 carats of diamonds (356 pieces), 534.41 carats of red rubies (170 pieces), and 312 grams of 999 pure gold. The centre pear-shaped red ruby on the tiara alone is a whopping 113.35 carats. The tiara was made by Ceres for Miss World Malaysia and is worth RM4 million.
In addition, the winner will also get the chance to represent Malaysia in the 68th Miss World 2018 finals in Sanya, China, this Dec 8. The annual Miss World Finals is broadcast live every year to approximately 180 countries, attracting more than a billion viewers. It is consistently ranked among the most watched live annual entertainment telecasts in the world.
On the four Sarawakians in the semi-finals, Abdul Karim said, “Hopefully, they can last till the finals and maybe represent Sarawak for the main Miss World 2018 in China later.”
He added that the 18 semi-finalists were no ordinary beauties; they are professionals from various backgrounds and walks of life.
“Some are models and some are medical doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, accountants and chefs, among others. I am impressed … beauty with a purpose,” said Abdul Karim. — DayakDaily
