Malay beauties of Malaysia in Miss Universe & Miss World

Malays are the majority ethnic group of Malaysia. Their ancestry is native to the regions of the Malay peninsula, eastern Sumatra and coastal Borneo, which are collectively known as “the Malay world”. They follow Islam, practice Malay customs and speak the Malay language. The Malaysian Malay community also extends to the descendants of early immigrant groups from neighboring regions who have assimilated to the local Malay culture and society. Let’s meet the stunning Malay beauties who represented Malaysia in the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants. For the national costumes, delegates usually wore the baju kurung or the sarong kebaya, traditional attires for local Malaysian women. Malay royalty was also another theme used for the national costume where delegates are garbed in exquisite batik fabrics and adorned in ornate jewelry and accessories.

Serah Abdullah, a Malay beauty from Kuala Lumpur, won the Miss Malaya 1962 pageant. She became the federation's representative in the Miss Universe 1962 pageant held in Miami, Florida. Later in 1963, the Federation of Malaya merged with Singapore, North Borneo and Sarawak to form the Federation of Malaysia (Singapore was expelled from the federation and became independent in 1965).

Maznah Ali won the title of Miss Malaysia 1968. She won the title on her second attempt having finished 1st runner-up during the Miss Malaysia 1967 pageant. Originally from Negeri Sembilan, the petite Malay beauty is of Minangkabau descent and was working as a secretary before winning the national title. Maznah became Malaysia's delegate in the Miss Universe 1968 pageant held in Miami, Florida.

Narimah Yusuf finished as 1st runner-up in the Miss Malaysia/World 1973 pageant. She succeeded to the title of Miss Malaysia/World 1973 after the original titleholder was stripped of the national title for declining to participate in the upcoming international pageant. A bank stenographer during that time, Narimah soon represented Malaysia in the Miss World 1973 pageant held in London, United Kingdom. She became a favorite among the press for her exotic looks and petite stature.

Fauziah Haron won the title of Miss Malaysia/World 1975. Before winning the national title, the stunning Malay beauty was working as a stenographer and aspired to become a lawyer. Hailing from Johor, Fauziah became Malaysia's delegate in the Miss World 1975 pageant held in London, United Kingdom.

Faridah Norizan won the title of Miss Malaysia/Universe 1976. At the time of winning, she was working as a marketing officer and hails from Perak. She soon represented Malaysia in the Miss Universe 1976 pageant held in Hong Kong. After the pageant, Faridah embarked on an acting and modeling career back in Malaysia. She was the cover girl of the first edition of Jelita ("beautiful" in Malay), a women's magazine focused primarily on Malaysian Malay women and soon acted in several Malaysian films.

Yasmin Yusuff won the Miss Malaysia/Universe 1978 pageant. Before winning the contest, Yasmin was an assistant sales promotion officer while taking a break from her college studies in England. She comes from a multicultural background; her father is Malaysian Malay while her mother is of German ancestry. The stunning beauty soon represented Malaysia in the Miss Universe 1978 pageant held in Acapulco, Mexico. During the pageant, she was awarded 2nd runner-up in the Best National Costume. After the pageant, she became active in the local Malaysian media and entertainment industry as a singer, actress, presenter and radio host.

Siti Rohani Wahid won the title of Miss Malaysia/Universe 1982. At the time of winning the national title, she was working in public relations and aspired to become a professional model. Of Javanese and Malay descent, she represented Malaysia in the Miss Universe 1982 pageant held in Lima, Peru. After the pageant, Siti became active in local Malaysian entertainment industry and acted in a number of films.

Puspa Mohamad Salleh won the title of Miss Malaysia/Universe 1983. At the time of winning the national title, Puspa was aspiring to become a secretary and has held several local beauty titles. Hailing from Kedah, the dusky Malay beauty became Malaysia's delegate in the Miss Universe 1983 pageant held in St. Louis, Missouri.

Latifah Hamid won the title of Miss Malaysia/Universe 1984 and became Malaysia's delegate in the Miss Universe 1984 pageant held in Miami, Florida.

Fazira Wan Chek won the title of Miss Malaysia World 1992. Of Bengkulu Malay descent, Fazira hails from Selangor and was working as a model at the time of winning the national title. The stunning, porcelain-skinned beauty soon represented Malaysia in the Miss World 1992 pageant held in Sun City, South Africa. After the pageant, Fazira continued her modeling career and became active in the local Malaysian entertainment industry. Using the screen name "Erra Fazira", she became an actress, singer, TV host, film producer and brand ambassador.

Rahima Orchient Yayah won the Miss Malaysia World 1994 pageant. A Malay beauty from Sabah, Rahima was working as an assistant secretary before winning the national title. She soon became Malaysia's delegate in the Miss World 1994 pageant held in Sun City, South Africa. With her exotic looks and vivacious charisma, she became a favorite and was announced as among the Top 10 semi-finalists.

Suziela Azrai won the title of Miss Malaysia Universe 1995. At the time of winning the title, she was student and part-time model, aspiring to open her own resort and restaurant business. The fair-skinned Malay beauty from Selangor became Malaysia's delegate in the Miss Universe 1995 pageant held in Windhoek, Namibia.