PETALING JAYA: Kimberley Leggett speaks Malay as well as understands Hokkien and Cantonese. “I love durians I am exactly like everyone else in the country,” said the beauty queen who is currently studying at the Taylor's University here.

Being an all-Malaysian girl, the 19-year-old Penangite is upset that her national heritage was questioned in an article in the United States-based magazine International Business Times (IBTimes) about the country's Miss Universe contestant being “too white”.

Malaysians were outraged and Miss Malaysia Universe Organisation (Mumo) national director Andrea Fonseka lashed out at the publisher and its July 14 article, saying it was not only unfair but reflected their ignorance.

Malaysian inside out: Reigning Miss Malaysia Universe beauty queen Leggett is very much a local girl.

“Yes, we are predominantly Malay, Chinese and Indian. But there are also other ethnic groups. As such, don't pass any judgement on cultures and nationalities that you're unfamiliar with,” she was quoted as saying in a Bernama report that was carried by all major media groups.

IBTimes had said Leggett, with her hazel eyes, fair skin and long dark hair, could easily pass for a citizen of the Euro zone.

Her fluent English is a mix of dialects it sounds a bit like the oft-stereotyped American valley girl accent, with hints of British.

Leggett said: “I was frankly offended with the article because it spoils the good reputation of the pageant that is judged fairly, not by the colour of a contestant's skin.

Beauty with a pan-Asian look Chloe Chen shared Legget's sentiments. The Miss World Malaysia 2011 winner, born of a Chinese Malaysian father and a French mother said: “I have never felt any lesser a Malaysian than my friends and acquaintances because I am a born and bred local.

She said it was unfair of IBTimes to single out the beauty queens of Malaysia as not being representatives of its people.

“When I competed in the Miss World pageant, there were African countries represented by white women. Canada was represented by a Chinese beauty queen.

“If it wasn't an issue for other countries to have a minority representing them, why should it be a problem for multi-racial Malaysia?” asked Chen, who lists rendang and lemang among her favourite snacks.

Her predecessor, 2010 title holder Nadia Heng said competence and confidence were key factors in the competition.

“At the end of the day, winners are chosen for their calibre and the way they carry themselves,” said Heng, whose lineage is a mix of Chinese Malaysian and English.

• IHH Healthcare earnings up 3.6% to RM127.27m
• Petronas Dagangan Q1 earnings down 3.7% to RM237m
• Japan's tumble drags key regional, European markets lower (Update)
• KUB in JV with Singapore's Hiap Seng for Petronas project
• TDM to plant 5,000ha of new trees every year in Kalimantan
• KLCI falls to low of 1,765, rattled by Japan, HK
• Japan stocks crash on volatile bonds, weak China data; Nikkei ends down 7.3%
• MISC posts RM300m net profit in Q1, sees challenging year ahead (Update)
• KL Kepong slips to low of RM21.36 as quarterly profit drops
• Maybank's Q1 earnings up 11.8% to RM1.506b (Update)
• Lafarge Cement positive on markets, mulls expanding capacity
• Dayang Enterprise awards RM705m contract to Perdana Petroleum
• KLCI pauses, Japan, Hong Kong key indices slide (Update)
• ECM Libra plans to exit PN17 by year-end
• China HSBC flash PMI hits 7-mth low, fans growth fears

• Ranger, militant killed in Thai south shootout
• Japan man, 80, scales Everest, sets record
• Philippines vows to defend territory against China
• S. Korean girl killed by suicide jumper
• Ecuador warns satellite could hit rocket remains
• Short-story writer Davis wins Booker International Prize
• Two babies among US tornado victims
• Anti-Islamist protests flare following London attack
• 'British solider' butchered in suspected Islamist attack (Updated)

• Rugby: Former All Black coach Henry on misconduct charge
• Ice queen Nicol into British Open quarters
• Australia to consider following ban on anchor putters
• Intxausti wins 16th stage, Nibali still keeps pink jersey
• Indonesia drawn to meet China again – in knockout stage
• Results worldwide
• Malacca sprinter Mohd Azam Masri out to create history by winning five events in MSSM meet
• Athletics runs in the veins of Vallabouy family
• Chinese long jumper Jinzhe claims another Olympic scalp
• Dane Jorgensen’s wish is to avoid Chinese ace Lin Dan in World Championships
• National badminton team’s lack of depth a glaring factor in home tourney
• Khim Wah-V Shem perform above expectations in Sudirman Cup debut
• Jindapon aims to qualify for 2016 Olympics
• Kenichi’s goal is to take Japan into Sudirman Cup semi-finals
• Dong-keun shows he’s a capable replacement

• Please wait.

• Actress’ barking pet saves her from attacker in late night incident
• Colleges challenge new conditions set by registrar
• Tian Chua, Haris Ibrahim, Tamrin Ghafar to spend the night in lockup (Update)
• Transport Ministry reveals new FT registration plate to start with W1A
• What comes after WYY?
• In China, food scares put Mao's self-sufficiency goal at risk
• Verdict ends three years of restlessness for family, says Sosilawati's daughter
• All four accused guilty in murder of Sosilawati Lawiya and three others (Update)
• Chromebook to help rural pupils leapfrog into parity with urban peers
• Astro and Maxis to deliver new-age TV service in Klang Valley