Malaysia’s Miss International 2026 representative, Yap Wen Wei, is determined to use the prestigious pageant to showcase the country’s rich heritage and cultural uniqueness to the world, not just to win the crown.
The 28-year-old beauty, who hails from Kuala Krai, Kelantan, hopes to highlight Malaysia’s traditional arts and crafts, particularly the intricate beauty of songket and batik.
The grand finale of the 64th edition of Miss International is scheduled to take place at Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan, on Nov 25.
Set to wear exclusive outfits featuring heritage fabrics and traditional local elements, Yap also promises a special performance during the competition, which begins today and runs until Nov 25.
“My outfits are different because each piece must incorporate Malaysian elements. Some of my friends have said that my style looks ordinary and outdated, but this is our country’s true identity. I want to show the world Malaysia’s beauty and uniqueness.
“Maybe we are not fancy, but it is our authenticity that sets us apart. I am also immensely proud to bring the strong Kelantan identity that is deeply rooted in me to the world stage. Growing up in a village and helping my grandmother run her sundry shop played a significant role in shaping who I am today,” she said.
Speaking to Bernama after the Miss International Malaysia 2026 private send-off function held here recently, Yap said she has also been working hard to hone her public speaking skills, build mental resilience and deepen her understanding of current affairs to ensure she can express herself confidently and effectively.
The marketing executive and part-time model, who has a degree in multimedia technology from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, said she is aware of the expectations placed upon her and pledged to give her best to make the nation proud.
Yap’s experience competing in beauty pageants since 2022 has also taught her the importance of patience and perseverance.
“I first competed in this pageant in 2022 and managed to make it into the top six. I tried again last year (2025) and finished second. This year, I finally got the opportunity to represent Malaysia. I never gave up and kept trying. If I can do it, you (young women out there) can do it too,” said Yap, who departed for Tokyo yesterday evening.
She also urged young women aspiring to follow in her footsteps not to give up easily and to always believe in their own potential.
Besides showcasing Malaysia’s rich heritage on the international stage, Yap will also highlight her efforts to promote digital education through a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) project she has been involved in since 2023.
She said the initiative has successfully provided nearly 1,000 laptops to pupils from B40 households to help bridge the digital divide.
“Digital education is no longer a privilege but a basic necessity. Through this initiative, we want to ensure that no child from a B40 household drops out of school simply because of limited access to digital devices,” she said, adding that the SDG project is one of the key components of the Miss International 2026 competition.
Yap also hoped that Malaysians will show their strong support by watching her SDG project video and leaving positive messages on the official Miss International YouTube channel, as a high number of views could improve her chances of securing a place among the Top 20 contestants.
