Malaysia to skip Miss Universe 2021 due to 'worsening COVID-19 situation'

Miss Universe Malaysia has declined to join the 70th Miss Universe pageant to be held in Eilat, Israel in December 2021.

According to a statement posted Wednesday, the organization has been unable to hold their local Miss Universe Malaysia pageant "due to the worsening COVID-19 situation, which has resulted in limited international and domestic travel."

"We have therefore declined the invitation to this year’s pageant and regretfully would not be able to hold a local Miss Universe Malaysia pageant this year," the statement read.

"We wish all delegates the best of luck at the international competition, and look forward to participating again in the near future," it added.

Malaysia was represented by Francisca Luhong James in the Miss Universe 2020 competition held last May. The crown went to Mexico’s Andrea Meza.

Meanwhile, Miss Universe Philippines has announced its Top 75 delegates competing for the title.

The pageant's "runway challenge" was topped by Cebu province's Steffi Aberasturi, Asia's Next Top Model winner Maureen Wroblewitz, and actress Kisses Delavin. —Margaret Claire Layug/JCB, GMA News