17 to vie for Miss Malaysia Tourism title

KUALA LUMPUR: Seventeen contestants from across the nation are vying for the Miss Malaysia Tourism 2017 crown at Berjaya Times Square Hotel on Sept 23.
Miss Malaysia Tourism Pageant president and founder Tan Sri Danny Ooi said the pageant, which is in its 20th year, will allow contestants to engage with four non-governmental organisations (NGOs) – Persatuan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Istimewa Insan, Ti-Ratana Welfare Society, OKB OKU Persatuan Orang Kota Baru, and the Malaysia Association of the Blind.
Event joint organiser Datuk Jessie Yow said proceeds from a charity dinner which will be held during the pageant will be donated to the NGOs.
One of the contestants, Sarawakian Brenda Ngu Ying Ying, said her younger sister had encouraged her to try her luck.
"However, I decided to pursue it as a platform to expand my passion in medicine by helping others," the 23-year-old biomedical science graduate said.
Another contestant, Orange Ooi Ning, 25, a graduate in Chinese medicine, wants to become a Chinese medical physician.
"I want to use my knowledge and combine it with tourism to spread awareness on alternative medicine," she said.
As for Bharathi Letchuman, her dream to empower women and be different led her to join the pageant.
"My family wanted me to focus on work as I was based in Singapore as a nurse. However, I'm a strong believer that if you have a dream, don't hesitate."
Try everything. Don't give up," she said.
Sabahan Claudieyamax Aloysius believes teaching is a noble profession as she specialises in Early Childhood Education.
"It's important to educate our young of their heritage and history so that they'll be proud of themselves," she said.
The eldest of four siblings believes hard work and persistence are the key to success.