A Sarawak Malay crowned Miss Saree Malaysia 2013

KUALA LUMPUR – a Sarawak Malay from Kampung Gedong, Serian in Sarawak and who can speak, read, and write Mandarin really lived with 1Malaysia spirit when she was crowned the first Miss Saree Malaysia 2013

Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 Massuhaella (centre), 1st runner-up Vanessa (right) and 2nd runner-up Rupini (left).
Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 Massuhaella (centre), first runner-up Vanessa Cruez (right) and second runner-up Rupini Mahalingam (left).

Massuhaella Binti Mohd Idris, 25, a Sarawak Malay from Kampung Gedong, Serian in Sarawak and who can speak, read, and write Mandarin really lived with 1Malaysia spirit when she was crowned the first Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 at the pageant’s grand final in Dataran Underground, Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur on Nov 30, 2013.

The Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 pageant is organised by Miss Malaysia Kebaya (MMK) organisation and opened to all Malaysian single ladies under the 1Malaysia concept.

“I just do my best. I didn’t put much expectation,” a jubilant Massuhaella, nicknamed Ella, told Citizen Journalists Malaysia (CJMY) in an interview after her crowning.

Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 Massuhaella (centre), with 1st runner-up Vanessa (right) and 2nd runner-up Rupini (left).
(L-R) Second runner-up Rupini, winner Massuhaella and first runner-up Vanessa Cruez are all smiles after winning the Miss Saree Malaysia 2013  pageant.
MMK president Jason Hee puts the crown on Massuhaella's head
MMK founder and president Jason Hee placing the crown on the head of Massuhaella.
Miss Malaysia Kebaya 2012 Jean Lee crowning Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 first runner-up Vanessa Cruez
Miss Malaysia Kebaya 2012 Jean Lee crowning Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 first runner-up Vanessa Cruez.
Massuhaella walks the runway in red hot saree
Massuhaella walks the runway in red hot saree. 

“My aim is to win just like everyone’s here but I keep it to myself. I keep on pushing and I am very happy now because my efforts are finally paid off and it’s worth it,” added Ella, a finalist of the recently concluded Miss Borneo Kebaya 2013 pageant grand final last Nov 22.

She was also a finalist of Borneo Hornbill Festival 2012.

Ella said her win has sparked her motivation and enthusiasm and she will be competing in more pageants in the future.

“Tying a saree looks easy but actually it’s not that simple,” said Ella who experienced the first time wearing a saree in the pageant.

She has learnt the right way to wear the saree after some practice and the social and cultural significance of Indian bangles.

“I learn a lot about Indian culture from my fellow Indian contestants. It’s such a beautiful culture.

“I will bring this culture back to Sarawak as there are not many Indians in Sarawak.

“I can show them that a Borneo girl can win the Miss Saree Malaysia pageant so hopefully this will encourage more Borneo girls to join this competition next year.

“Now I just love wearing the saree. It is such an elegant traditional outfit which brings out the beauty in a woman through its brilliance of colours, designs and patterns,” said Ella who also speak some basic Tamil words which she picked up from the girls.

Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 winners
Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 top five winners.
Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 finalists at Dataran Underground KL
The 15 finalists of Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 parade in their sarees at Dataran Underground, Kuala Lumpur.

The youngest of 10 children, Ella studied in a Chinese school from standard one till form five where she scored a credit for Mandarin in her SPM in 2005.

She graduated with a business degree from Management and Science University (MSU), Shah Alam and is now pursuing a master programme in Master of Communication, now in second year, at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman  (UTAR) Petaling Jaya campus.

“Sarawak has many ethnic groups and I support pageant that is open to all regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, culture and heritage because it is one way to unite and integrate the people under the 1Malaysia concept,” said Ella.

First runner-up was 19-year-old Vanessa Cruez and second runner-up 21-year-old Rupini Mahalingam, both of whom are students.

Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 first runner-up Vanessa Cruez
Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 first runner-up Vanessa Cruez.
Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 2nd runner-up Rupini Mahalingam
Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 2nd runner-up Rupini Mahalingam.
Miss India Malaysia 2012 Sharmistta Yoogan judging at Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 grand finale
Miss India Malaysia 2012 Sharmistta Yoogan, a judge in Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 grand finale.

Rupini said she was glad to have made it to the Top 3 and eventually becoming a third-place finisher.

“I know I did my best so I know I rightly deserve what I deserved,” said the Miss Wilayah Kebaya 2013 finalist.

Like Ella, Rupini said she is still young enough and the win has boosted her confidence to participate in future pageants.

MMK founder and president Jason Hee said Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 is the original pageant initiated by Smart Network Marketing.

It is open to young Malaysian women of all ethnicity aged 17 – 30 and celebrate the country’s heritage and cultural diversity.

CJMY is an official media partner of Miss Saree Malaysia 2013 presented by MMK.

 

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Thomas Tan

Thomas Tan joined CJMY in 2011. At the second annual conference in Johor Bahru, he received the 'Best Article 2011' Award. To date, he has published over 1,000 articles on community events and various topics.