Last night, Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation (MUMO) expressed shock over the racial comments made by 2017 winner Samantha Katie James.
In a statement, MUMO said that Samantha’s remarks were “inappropriate, offensive, unacceptable and hurtful”. The pageant organiser also distanced itself from the controversy, stating that those are her own views and not of MUMO.
Having said that, many netizens feel that a mere statement by MUMO isn’t enough. “Hi, a statement is not enough. I hope that you will take action by considering to strip her off her official title. She is no role model to young women and definitely not an ambassador of Malaysia on the international stage. Thank you,” Instagram user @ayraalias commented.
Her sentiments were echoed by Facebook user Cecelia Alphonsus. “I don’t know which is worse – her statements or your lack of one. Distancing yourself from her isn’t the right thing to do. As you can already see, her statements have affected your brand. It was an ill-advised statement. Take a stand and revoke her title. Beauty pageants already have a bad wrap, having this one running around associated with your brand only confirms the negative perception people have of beauty pageants these days,” she said.
Current title holder Shweta Sekhon, National Director of MUMO Elainer Daly, Alicia Amin and more have taken their stand against Samantha and racism.
https://twitter.com/AliciaAmin/status/1267393260361674753
https://twitter.com/AliciaAmin/status/1267404098174726147
we’re hitting miss samantha where it hurts! this is powerful ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/ojk4xOQxBF
— alextbh (@_alextbh) June 1, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA54PH7BTQV/
https://twitter.com/trinsteaparty/status/1267497771264688129
