17 to vie for Miss Malaysia title

KUALA LUMPUR: Seventeen girls are vying for this year’s Miss Malaysia Universe to be held at Hotel Istana next Friday. 

One of the finalists, Elaine Daly, 26, said she would take the pageant as a personal challenge and “an opportunity to pursue issues close to my heart.” 

“I will champion issues relating to abused women and children,” said the model/actress from Kuala Lumpur. 

A. Thanushia said she hoped to use her Indian-Chinese parentage to promote Malaysia overseas. 

BEAUTY PARADE: The 17 Miss Malaysia Universe 2003 finalists posing diring a 'meet the press' session at Hotel Istana in Kuala Lumpur Thursday. The session was held for the press prior to the pageant finals next Friday.

“I want to tell people Malaysia is truly Asian and I am a product of it,” said the 21-year-old law student from Penang. 

The girls paraded in their swimwear during a “meet-the-press” session at the hotel yesterday, accompanied by last year’s winner Karen Ang. 

Miss Malaysia Universe 2003 will receive about RM85,000 in cash and prizes and the chance to represent Malaysia at the finals in Panama on June 3.