Malaysians impressed by the beauty queen representing them at an international pageant next month have been throwing a lot of shade Miss Singapore’s way.
While many have praised Miss International Malaysia Charmaine Chew, who will compete in Tokyo next month, they haven’t hesitated to savage her Singaporean counterpart, 21-year-old Charlotte Chia, who won the title in July.
Malaysians have been praising Chew, 22 of Kedah state, for her good looks since she was crowned Tuesday, likening her beauty to that of South Korean celebrities, with many expressing confidence Malaysia’s got a shot at going far this year.
In contrast to the stream of compliments Chew has been receiving for her “too hot to handle” good looks, Singapore’s Chia has been getting ruthless criticism, including one comment that she reminded someone of the television character Rosie Phua, the crass contractor’s wife from popular sitcom Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd., played by actress Irene Ang.
“Why is Singapore sending Phua Chu Kang’s wife? Rosie, or whatever her name is,” user @Pringlespizie wrote Wednesday in Malay. “Don’t they want to win [this pageant]?
Kenapa Singapore hantar bini Phua Chu Kang? Rosie ke ape tah nama lupa. Mmg tak nak mng ke?
— Pizie MY (@pringlespizie) October 2, 2019
While comments about a woman’s appearance may be inevitable when it involves a contest about women’s appearances, many were harsh. Here’s a small sample of just some of the comments joining in the attack:
“Has Singapore run out of beautiful people? Just asking,” @JarrNadjmuddean wrote.
“Singapore should just send Taufiq Batisah,” @Shapitrazak said, referencing the Singaporean idol now famous in Malaysia.
“Top four [has] chance [at winning]. Bottom four … well, [they] can try lah. [But] why Singapore sent [an] Ah Lian?,” @Duurianne said, referencing a term used to stereotype Chinese girls considered low-class and associated with gangs.
Chia isn’t getting a lot of support from Singaporeans either, with many making fun of her as well, saying on All Singapore Stuff’s Facebook page that they were “stunned” to see her photo — but not in a good way.
Most of the Malaysians’ comments were posted in response to a now-viral Twitter thread by user Nadia J, who posted a collage of all eight Southeast Asian contestants heading to Miss International 2019, including Indonesia’s Jolene Marie Cholock Rotinsulu, Cambodia’s Kachnak Thyda Bon and Vietnam’s Nguyen Tuong San — all of whom have garnered Malaysians’ approval.
TERKINI.
Malaysia, ini adalah wakil Miss International Malaysia 2019.
Charmaine Chew, wanita 22 tahun & berketinggian 173 cm dari Kedah ini akan mewakili Malaysia ke Miss International di Jepun, November nanti.
She’s too hot to handle!
Good luck, Queen C 👑 pic.twitter.com/0qDTGImKRJ
— Nadia J (@AchuNadia) October 1, 2019
The thread that went up on Tuesday has since been retweeted 15,000 times, with nearly 20,000 likes and hundreds of comments including those who called out the online bashers and defended Chia, posting photos from her Instagram in an attempt to prove she’s as beautiful as the rest.
She’s pretty irl pic.twitter.com/KzwiGz5lyg
— tyria (@tyria_novilaa) October 2, 2019
“You guys are a real clown for making fun of the Singaporean contestant,” @Aokyong said yesterday. “ She’s a beauty.”
“All the contestants look mixed, that’s why they’re beautiful … Singapore’s [contestant] has natural beauty, and everyone is beautiful,” @Yayaheartyou said.
Contestants from more than 65 countries will compete at the pageant set to take place Nov. 12 in Japan. Venezuela’s Mariem Claret Velazco Garcia was crowned last year’s winner, with Maria Ahtisa Manalo of the Philippines as first runner-up.
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