The Sabah lass earned the right to represent the country at the Miss Grand International 2019 pageant in Venezuela this October.

Mel is now in the running for USD$40,000 cash and a one-year stay in Bangkok, Thailand, the headquarters of the Miss Grand International organisation.

Mel’s win scores a hattrick for Sabah after Sanjeda John in 2017 and Debra Jeanne Poh last year.

Saroop Roshi from Perak and crowd favourite Haara Kumar from Selangor came in second and third respectively. Both runner ups will also be representing Malaysia at major international pageants to be announced in due time.

All top three winners will receive cash and prizes worth more than RM150,000 from main presenter Nur Sajat Aesthetics and grand sponsors including Clarel’s Malaysia, NuFinity and Borneo Medispa.

Mel also receives a business class return flight ticket to Venezuela courtesy of Bumijaya Kiara Biotech Sdn Bhd.

All 23 contestants kicked off the opening round of the finals with a fiery dance performance, wearing dresses by Sarawakian designer Maatin Shakir.

The next round had them parading in limited-edition swimwear by Bikini Malaysia before completing the final round in evening gowns.

Miss Grand Malaysia 2019 was held outside the Klang Valley for the first time with Miri as the host from April 21-28.

The finalists enjoyed a fun packed week of activities which included visiting tourist attractions such as the Grand Old Lady, Miri Handicraft Centre, Piasau Nature Reserve, Miri Times Square, Miri Crocodile Farm and Coco Cabana Miri.

The national pageant, which is supported by the Sarawak Tourism Board and Miri City Council also announced that Miss Grand Malaysia 2020 will be held in June next year with Kota Kinabalu, Sabah as the host.

Present at the coronation were Adam Yii, Mayor of Miri, Teresa Chaivisut, Vice President, Miss Grand International Organisation, Clara Sosa, Miss Grand International 2018 from Paraguay and Joshua O’Neill, Executive Producer, Miss Grand Malaysia Organisation.