KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore and Malaysia women are frustrated over the commentary surrounding 19-year-old Karisa Sukamato's victory at Miss Singapore World concerning her height. Women in Singapore told Bikyamasr.com that the criticism over the event is “unwarranted” and “should be silenced immediately.” The controversy began after the judges delayed announcing the victor, retreating twice into a private room to deliberate on choosing a winner. “It just is ridiculous to think that people are angry over the girl's height,” said businesswoman Claire Umpah in Singapore. “We are not all tall in this city so come on and get with the program,” she urged the media. Pageant organizer Raymund Ooi of Limelite Productions told The New Paper: “The judges couldn't decide and were going back and forth and back and forth in the room. “The problem was that it was a 50-50 split and while half thought that Michelle had the looks and poise, they felt that she had to work on the way she tackled questions. “Those who supported Karisa said she had the charm and personality, but was just lacking in height. “So it was a debate on whether language and answering skills could be honed and that height is something one can't change,” he said. “But in the spirit of Miss Singapore World, where we don't have a height restriction, I told the judges just to look at the marks they scored for each girl, and the girl with the higher marks won.” Still, local media has been up in arms over the choosing of the young girl, who by traditional pageant standards, is shorter than usual. But Singapore and Malaysia women say it gives other girls, who don't reach a “specific height” the belief that they can do it and participate in such competitions. “Let's be real about this. It is just a beauty contest and although we shouldn't put much weight on it, the fact is that Karissa's win shows that you don't have to be tall to win,” Malaysian housewife Nermine told Bikyamaasr.com.
