Malaysia will not be joining the Miss Universe 2021 pageant
There will be no Malaysian representative at the 70th Miss Universe in Israel this December.
On Tuesday, Aug. 17, Miss Universe Malaysia announced that they have opted to skip the international competition due to the rising COVID-19 cases.
"Unfortunately, due to the worsening COVID-19 situation which has resulted in limited international and domestic travel, we have been unable to hold our local Miss Universe Malaysia 2021 pageant," it said.
"We wish all delegates the best of luck at the international competition, and look forward to participating again in the near future."
Their most recent delegate was Francisca Luhong James, the first indigenous contestant to represent Malaysia at Miss Universe. She represented the country at the 69th Miss Universe pageant held in Florida last May 16, with the pageant won by Mexico's Andrea Meza.
Meza will crown her successor this December in Eilat, Israel.
“70 years! The 70th Miss Universe competition is heading to Eilat, Israel! Miss Universe will air live around the world December 2021,” announced the organization last July.
Photo from Miss Universe Malaysia Org (@missuniversemalaysia)