KEBAYA BEAUTY: Miss Kebaya Sarawak Regatta 2011 Liyana (centre) flanked by second place winner Siti Nurfauzianty (left) and Adeline Ngelambong.
KUCHING: Dressed in a pink kebaya, a gift from her boyrfriend,and a dazzling smile, Liyana Eddie clinched the
Miss Kebaya Sarawak Regatta 2011 title on Saturday night at the Sarawak Tourism Complex.
The 18-year-old took home a crown, RM1,500 in cash and a RM1,500 voucher from Merdeka Palace.
Prizes were presented by Datin Amar Juma’ni Tun Tuanku Bujang
who is the wife of Tourism and Heritage minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Abang Openg.
Liyana, who is of Chinese and Malay parentage, said she was elated to be announced the winner and added that the win was particularly sweet because she has always wanted to be a kebaya ambassador.
“The main attraction in this contest was the fact that it was a kebaya contest.
“I love the kebaya and I’m always very proud to promote it, especially to the younger generation,” she said.
In second place was 18-year-old Siti Nurfauzianty Senin who walked away with RM1,000 in cash and a RM800 voucher from Merdeka Palace.
Adeline Ngelambong, an 18-year-old Iban beauty
was named third place winner.
Her self-made kebaya impressed the judges and she walked home with RM800 in cash and a RM300 voucher from Merdeka Palace.
A total of 11 beauties made it into the finals. According to organisers, the competition attracted participation from all races from all over the state.
Judges for the event were Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) branch chairman Datuk Dr Anthony Nait and businesswomen Jamilah Shukri from Anggun Collection.
The event was organised in conjunction with the Sarawak Regatta and IWWF Wakeboard World Cup.
It attracted hundreds of spectators who also took the opportunity to visit stalls set up along the Kuching Waterfront.
Also present at the event were deputy state
secretary Datu Ose Murang and his wife Datin Valerie Mashman.