UPDATED KUALA LUMPUR - To the increasingly extremist Malay-Muslim lobby groups such as the Umno-backed Perkasa, it might be another opportunity to stir up some more Malay and Islamic righteousness against those whom they call 'liberals' or even 'infidels'.
But to the rest of the country, it is fantastic news that a Malaysian has become the first in Asia and the world to be crowned MRS UNIVERSE at the inaugural international pageant.
39-year-old Carol Lee scored a first for Malaysia when she beat 29 contestants from all over the world to receive her crown during the finals on Aug 11, which was held at the resort of Aruba in the Caribbean.
She also secured the Mrs Popularity subsidiary title, a feat reflected in the 88,649 online votes she received. This helped her to clinch the main title, just pipping Mrs USA Amanda Grad, who had 88,556 votes.
Carol's costumes at the pageant were designed by another Malaysian, Carven Ong, who had also brought glory to Malaysia when he swept Asia's "Top Designer of the Year 2009" award 4 years ago.
International slap for Umno: Half-breed or half-baked bullying
Carol's victory, while well-deserved and due to her own merits, is also seen as a judgement passed by the international community on Prime Minister Najib Razak's government, which is led by his corruption-tainted Umno party.
Umno or United Malays National Organization is known for a two-faced brand of racial and religious politicking, which it has been accused of practicing to maintain a stranglehold on the Malay electorate. Malay-Muslims form about 55% of Malaysia's 28 million population.
Last month, 4 young Muslim girls were subject to intense media scrutiny after they were dropped from the Miss Malaysia World pageant, due to a ruling by the Malaysian religious authorities that bars Muslim girls from competing in beauty contests.
The girls were scolded in public for allegedly abandoning the Islamic way of life and subjected to much abuse from the conservatives in the Malay-Muslim community. Some even went to the extent of calling the girls "half-breeds".
Many leaders including Jamil Khir Baharom, minister in the PM's Office in charge of Islamic affairs, was also quick to chastise them for allegedly damaging Malaysia's image as a devout Muslim nation.
The 4 were Wafa Johanna, 19, Sara Amelia Muhammad Bernard, 20, Katrina Ridzuan, 23, and Miera Sheikh, 19.
"I hold the view that Malays can participate but since there is a fatwa (religious edict) which bars Muslims from participating in it, I have to abide by it," said Wafa.
KL for the 2014 pageant?
A news presenter and former talk show host, Carol had emceed public-speaking gigs from time to time. She also runs Starz Studio, a child development and learning centre.
The theme for Mrs Universe 2013 was "Stop Domestic Violence", and according to the Sundaily, this had resonated with Carol's personal crusade against domestic violence. Perhaps, this gave her the edge over her rivals.
Carol and several NGOs had set up centres throughout Malaysia to offer education to women on domestic violence, providing legal as well as emotional aid, the newspaper also reported.
The Mrs Universe 2014 competition is expected to be held in Kuala Lumpur.
And while it is still far-off, many citizens here already shudder at thought of the ruckus the extremist groups will kick up should the organizers really decide to host the event in Malaysia, where tourism is a top earner.
Due to a sudden and still-unceasing spate of gangland-style murders as well as a 'Taliban-like' atmosphere created by some of the fringe groups, industry experts have expressed concern about a revenue drop.
Malaysia Chronicle
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