The Miss Universe Malaysia is an annual national beauty pageant and an organization that selects Malaysia's representative to the annual Miss Universe contest. On occasion, when the winner does not qualify (due to age or any other reason), a runner-up is sent.

Quick Facts Formation, Type ...

Miss Universe Malaysia

Formation	1962; 62 years ago (1962)
Type	Beauty pageant Organization
Headquarters	Kuala Lumpur
Location	Malaysia
Membership	Miss Universe
Official language	English
National Director	Vacant
Franchise Holder	Vacant
Current titleholder	Serena Lee
Key people	Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip Raul Rocha
Website	missuniverse.com.my

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The reigning Miss Universe Malaysia is Serena Lee of Kuala Lumpur. She was crowned on 27 August 2023 and represented her country at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador.^[1]

The competition was first held in 1964 when the pageant's title was known as "Miss Malaysia" until 1969^[2] and "Miss Malaysia Universe" from 1970 until 2009 also "Miss Malaya" in 1962 and 1963. No national competition were held in 1968, 2011 and 2021.^[3][4] The pageant was founded in 1962 by Mr. Jaycee Liu Chang Lan who then became the first national director of the pageant.^[5] The first franchisee, who signed the contract with Miss Universe Organization was the Petaling Jaya Rotary Club. The pageant was registered under Beyond Entity Sdn. Bhd. in 2009 and MYEG Services Berhad as the franchise holder until 2022.^[6]

Malaya was first invited to compete in Miss Universe 1954 but due to lack of support from the Malayan government, the winner was competed as Miss Singapore instead.^[7] In 1964, the first Miss Universe Malaysia pageant was held at Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur and has been organized annually since 1969. More than eight thousands spectators were in the stadium to witnessed the first ever Miss Universe Malaysia contest. The contest was then won by Angela Filmer from Selangor where she had the rights to represent Malaysia in Miss Universe 1964 pageant in Miami, Florida, United States thus making her the second woman from Malaysia to ever competed in Miss Universe stage after Sarah Alhabshee Abdullah in 1962.^[8] However, at the time, Malaysia had not yet been formed.^[9] Malaysia was also once withdrawn in Miss Universe 1963. The Malaysian representative for the 12th edition was Nik Azizah Nik Yahya, from Kelantan, however she was unable to present during the pageant due to unknown reason.^[10]

The pageant was first televised in the 1970s. From 2010 to 2017, the pageant was broadcast on Diva and 8TV. From 2017 to 2019, the pageant was broadcast on hurr.tv, which also then became the official online channel.^[11] The current official media partner for Miss Universe Malaysia is The Star, an English-language daily newspaper since 2003 until now.^[12]

On 11 May 1995, the Government of Selangor issued a fatwa in prohibiting every Muslim woman in Malaysia from joining and competing in any national pageant that sends the winner to an international pageant such as Miss Universe.^[13] The fatwa regarding the banning of Muslim women in participating in beauty pageants was finalized through the government gazette on 8 February 1996.^[14] The fatwa has been recently issued in Penang on 11 May 2017.^[15]

In 1962, Malaya debut in the Miss Universe pageant.^[37][38] Since the formation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963, the Malayan candidates began to compete as Miss Malaysia.^[39] The modern pageant is attended by participants from various city from the thirteen states and three federal territories (Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are usually represented by more than one participant), for a total of 18 to 20 participants.

The oldest woman to win Miss Universe Malaysia is Miss Universe Malaysia 2011, Deborah Henry of Kuala Lumpur, at 26 years old.^[42] Maznah Ali, of Johor, the first runner-up in Miss Malaysia 1967 and the titleholder of Miss Malaysia 1968 was the first to ever compete in two international pageants on the same year: Miss Universe and Miss International.^[43] The tallest Miss Universe Malaysia is Miss Universe Malaysia 2004, Andrea Fonseka, of Penang at 6 feet and 0 inch (183 cm).^[44]

The first Malay winner to ever win the title was Nik Azizah Nik Yahya of Kelantan in 1963; the first Eurasian winner was Angela Filmer of Selangor in 1964; the first Hispanic winner was Patricia Augustus of Penang in 1965;^[45] the first Chinese winner was Helen Lee of Perak in 1966;^[46] the first Siamese winner was Monkam Siprasome of Kedah in 1967;^[47] the first Caucasian winner was Yvette Batterman of Selangor in 1971; the first Indian winner was Lucy Narayanasamy of Selangor in 1993;^[48] the first Chindian winner was Joannabelle Ng of Sabah in 2009;^[49] and the first Indigenous winner was Francisca Luhong James of Sarawak in 2020.^[50]

The crown of Miss Universe Malaysia has changed numerously since 1964.

• Elegance Club Crown (2008–2010)^[51]
• Suhara Jewel Crown (2011–2012) — This crown resembles the Coventry Crown of Miss Universe. Created for Miss Universe Malaysia by the Suhara Jewel Art.^[52]
• Rafflesia Crown (2013) — The tiara consists of 229 freshwater pearls, six blue sapphires, diamonds and adorned with white gold and designed in floral motif priced at RM500,000 (US$121 thousand), was designed by its director Winnie Sin.^[53] The crown was a reflection of Rafflesia The Pearl Centre's 10th anniversary in the entertainment and jewellery making business.
• Ceres Jewel Crown (2014–2015) — The crown was made by Ceres Jewel Company and worth at RM27,000. Furnished with 18K white gold ring consisting of 37 pieces totaling to 1.82 carats of white and rare champagne fancy colored diamonds.^[54]
• Aquamarine Crown (2016–2018) — This crown drawn was inspiration from the roaring ocean waves, the fascinating shades and colors of the ocean water, these elements embodied a woman with nature's wonder. The crown estimated to be worth US$1.3 million.^[55] The whole production process, from the first sketches to the production itself, took about six months.
• Reflection Crown (2019–2022) — Features a 10-carat diamond set in white gold and was conceptualized to represent strength, power, courage, creativity, self-respect and love. The crown was named such as it resonates with the values and beauty reflected in each finalist. The crown valued at RM2.38 million (US$580 thousand)^[56]

• Miss Universe