JAWI confirms Muslim Miss M'sia World finalist have withdrawn

The Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) on Saturday confirmed that the four Muslim finalists of the Miss Malaysia World 2013 pageant withdraw from the final of the competition which took place here on Friday.

Its director Datuk Che Mat Che Ali said Jawi mounted enforcement operations around the venue of the final and was told by the organiser that the four had withdrawn before the final took place.

"Only 15 non-Muslim women participated in the final. I thank the four Muslim women for cancelling their intention of joining the pageant and not challenge Islamic laws in the Federal Territory," he told reporters here Saturday.

He added that they faced action under the laws if they had proceeded with competing in the pageant and were liable to be fined not more than RM3,000 or jailed not more than two years or both, if convicted.