KUCHING: Sarawakian Larissa Ping, 19, was crowned as the winner of the Miss World Malaysia 2018 after beating 11 other finalists. She also took the Top Talent and Miss Photogenic titles and will be representing Malaysia in the Miss World which will be held in Sanya, China, on December 8, 2018.
Larissa received RM30,000 cash and the competition crown worth RM4 million from the jury, Nabila Huda and Carmen Soo, together with a variety of other prizes.
Speaking at the Miss World Malaysia 2018 Grand Final held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) last Saturday, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Cuture, Youth and Sports, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Larissa would become the tourism ambassador for Sarawak next year.
“This Miss World Malaysia will show where Kuching, Sarawak, is and it is hoped that this event will help to attract tourists to the state.
We are going to promote Visit Sarawak Year next year,” he added. Karim revealed that the Miss World competition would be aired to about 180 countries and it also had franchises in more than 100 countries, making it the most successful international beauty pageant competition.
Wife of the Head of the State, Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib, Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife, Datin Patinngi Dato Juma’aini Tuanku Bujang were present during the competition.
Meanwhile, the second place winner, Shanned Jade, 24, from Kuala Lumpur, received RM5,000 cash while third place winner, Naomi Sim, 26, from Sarawak, took home RM3,000 cash.
During the competition, the People’s Choice and Top Model category titles were won by Fancisca Luhong James, 23, also from Sarawak. Meanwhile, Zane Wong, 22, from Kuala Lumpur won the Miss Personality title while Shannen Jade took home the Miss Elegance title.
