Pageant organiser distances itself from ex-Miss Universe M'sia's racial remarks

The beauty pageant organiser Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation (Mumo) has distanced itself from one of its past winner’s remarks on the "Black Lives Matter" protests in the US.

The group expressed dismay with Miss Universe Malaysia 2017 winner Samantha Katie James (above), and said her remarks were “inappropriate, offensive, unacceptable, and hurtful”.

It said James’ views are her own and does not represent the organisation.

"Mumo stands for a non-racial society and strongly condemns all acts of racism and prejudice anywhere in the world," the group said in a statement.

It added that James is not contracted to Mumo, and has not represented the organisation since June 2018.

The 25-year-old beauty queen has courted controversy through her comments regarding the protests posted on her Instagram Stories today.

She claimed that the protestors' actions showed that the white people have won.

"Because if you’re angry, you respond in rage and anguish. That means it has power over you… Foolish humans.

"To the black people, relax. Take it as a challenge, makes you stronger. You chose to be born as a 'coloured' person in America for a reason. To learn a certain lesson.

"Accept it as it is, till now hunger and poverty exists. It is what it is. Best you can do is remain calm, protect heart, and don’t allow it to crumble. That’s your responsibility," she said.

She also posted screenshots of a conversation with a netizen asking what she meant by "choosing" to be born as coloured.

Her response read: "Like our souls chose this life, this country, this race, this human form - specifically - for a reason."

In her reply, she also identified herself as “white”, and said she has Chinese, Indian, and Brazilian heritage.

Her remarks have drawn widespread scorn from netizens, while an “edit war” broke out on her Wikipedia entry until a site administrator temporarily locked it from further editing to deter vandalism of the webpage.

Demonstrations have broken out in several US cities over the death of George Floyd in police custody, which later turned violent with widespread looting and arson.

Peaceful protesters have also gathered in cities like London and Berlin in solidary with the demonstrators in the US.

A curfew has been imposed in parts of the US, and Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has advised Malaysians there to obey the curfew and avoid the protests. - Mkini