BEAUTY pageants have undergone a remarkable transformation over the years. No longer focused solely on physical appearance, they have evolved into platforms for women’s empowerment, promoting personal growth and leadership. In Malaysia, the Miss Malaysia Indian Global (MMIG) pageant exemplifies this shift, focusing on qualities such as heritage, elegance and resilience (HER). These qualities go beyond mere aesthetics, celebrating the strength and cultural heritage of the participants.
Breaking barriers
One of the most inspiring stories from the 2024 edition of MMIG is that of Maliney Pohs, the newly crowned winner. Born in Penang and raised in a small village of Paya Besar in Kulim, Kedah, Maliney’s journey was far from the glitz and glamour traditionally associated with pageants. Growing up, she struggled with self-esteem and was frequently bullied due to her weight.
“I was constantly bullied for my size and that made me a shy and introverted child,” she recalled.
Despite these challenges, Maliney developed a drive that would lead her to excel academically and later, to a national stage.
Education became Maliney’s path to self-improvement. She defied the odds and achieved excellent results throughout her academic journey, earning straight-A in all her major exams (UPSR, PMR and SPM). Later, she pursued a degree in geoscience at the University of Malaysia Kelantan, where she was honoured with the Dean’s Award during her convocation in 2019. Maliney’s academic achievements were the result of her hard work qualities that would later define her experience in the MMIG pageant.
