After many months of anticipation since the submission for Miss Malaysia National Costume Award was opened, the winning entry was finally revealed by Miss Grand Malaysia Organization at a press conference held last week.

The winning sketch by Hana Yaakob called the KUDA WARISAN beat more than 50 entries and thus entrusted to design the national costume to be worn and paraded by Sanjeda John, Miss Grand Malaysia 2017 at the annual Miss Grand International pageant to be held in Vietnam from 5 – 25 October.

Image 1 - Kuda Warisan National Costume

The KUDA WARISAN national costume is iinspired by the Javanese community residing in the northern state of Johor, Malaysia. In the early 20th century, the migration of Javanese community through the Dutch and Japanese commerce ships in search of new land brought along its culture including this unique dance performance which is performed at merry occasions. In 1971, the ministry tourism of Johor acknowledged the Kuda Kepang dance for the Javanese community residing in Johor as a symbolic sign of unity and diversity in culture for the Johor people. With a strong historical resemblance, the origin of the Javanese cultural heritage is spread across in the northern state of Johor, Perak and Selangor in Malaysia, and Singapore.

The KUDA WARISAN national costume will be up against 80 other national costumes from all over the world vying for the Best in National Costume which includes the Award and US$1,000 cash from Miss Grand International Organization.

The grand finale of Miss Grand International 2017 will be held on 25 October at Vinpearl Resort in Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam where the winner will be walking away with $40,000 and reside in Bangkok, Thailand during her reign to further promote “Stop the War and Violence‟ campaign with Miss Grand International Organization.

Read also: Biomedical Student and Karate Instructor Crowned Miss Grand Malaysia 2017