KOTA KINABALU: Cassandra Yap, a career-focused individual from Johor, has been crowned as Miss International Malaysia (MIM) 2023. The 24-year-old stood out among 16 other finalists from across the country and won the title on Sunday (Oct 1) night. Yap receives a cash prize of RM10,000 and an education scholarship worth RM52,975, among other rewards. She will represent Malaysia in the international finale in Tokyo, Japan, in less than two weeks.
Kimberly Vung, 28 years old, was the first runner-up, while Christina Lee, also 28 years old from Perak, finished in third place. Another contestant, Ashlyn Ooi from Kuala Lumpur, who scored closely to Yap, was named Miss International Malaysia 2024.
Yap, who is already familiar with the pageantry and modeling industry, is optimistic about her upcoming stint in Tokyo. She believes that her Malaysian background, with its multiculturalism, is advantageous. She stated that flexibility, adaptability, and acceptance of differences are integral parts of Malaysian life. Yap plans to use these qualities to showcase what Malaysians are like and hopefully outshine the other contestants.
When asked about the challenges she faced while preparing for the competition, Yap mentioned time management. She stated that being a freelancer involved in modeling, content creation, and pageantry makes it difficult to schedule her time. However, she expressed her delight that all her efforts paid off.
Yap shared that she has not been in a relationship as she has been focused on her career. She added that she is not currently thinking about it, as she has many goals she wants to achieve first. Yap expressed gratitude towards her supporters, especially sponsors and fans, who have helped her reach her current position.
Jenny Ngu, the chairman of MIM 2023, explained that the reason for the surprise double crowning is to better prepare contestants at the international level. She stated that Yap will only have 11 days to prepare for the finals in Tokyo, while Ooi will have a whole year ahead. The goal is for Malaysia to bring home the international trophy. Ngu mentioned that contestants were not aware of this new arrangement, but the organizers and judges were, and they had no issue with it.
Ngu also revealed that next year’s competition would be a selection for the 2025 representative. Sabah deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who officiated the event, commented that beauty pageants enable the projection of the nation’s values, ideals, and aspirations onto the global stage. He emphasized that Malaysia’s image can be elevated by showcasing not just physical beauty but also values and aspirations. Kitingan added that each contestant broke pageant stereotypes by emphasizing that their worth goes beyond their looks. They exemplify intellect, passion, and resilience, demonstrating the potential of modern Malaysian women.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
