Sarawak’s Larissa Ping crowned Miss World M’sia 2018
KUCHING: Sarawak’s own Larissa Ping beat out 11 other contestants to be crowned this year’s Miss World Malaysia during a glitzy grand finale at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching ( BCCK) on Saturday.
The 19-year- old beauty, who also won awards for Miss Photogenic Queen and Top Talent, received a RM4 million tiara, cash prize of RM30,000, trophy and other prizes from judges Nabila Huda and Carmen Soo.
Larissa, who a spires to help children in the interior especially in education, will now represent Malaysia in the Miss World pageant scheduled to be held in Sanya, China on Dec 8.
Shannen Jade, 24, from Kuala Lumpur was first runner- up whi le another Sarawakian, 26-year- old Naomi Sim, placed third. Shannen also won the Miss Elegance tit le. Other winners during the f inale included Sarawak’s Francisca Luhong James, 23, who was named People’s Choice as well as Top Model, and 22-year- old Zane Wong from Kuala Lumpur for Miss Personality.
Meanwhi l e , Mini s t er o f Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said with the win, Larissa will be Sarawak’s Tourism Ambassador 2019.
“I am confident that through this prestigious event and as the winner, you will be able to assist in promoting the state of Sarawak at the international level and at the same time promote eco-tourism in the country.
“The event is watched by millions of viewers worldwide, and I am proud Sarawak has been selected as one of the locations for this prestigious occasion,” he said during the ceremony.
Among the distinguished guests who attended the event were the Yang di-Pertua Negeri’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, and Abdul Karim’s wife Datin Zuraini Abdul Jabbar.