KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak’s representative Viviana Lin Winston has made history by becoming the first Iban woman to be crowned Miss Grand Malaysia 2025.
Her victory, announced during the grand finale on Wednesday night, marks a proud moment not only for Sarawak but also for the Iban community.
Viviana, who is currently a second-year student in the Strategic Communication programme at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), dedicated the win to her home state and community.
“I’m incredibly proud to be the first woman from Sarawak, and the first Iban woman, to win this title.
“This win isn’t just mine. It belongs to all the people of Sarawak,” she told TVS after the event.
According to TVS in a news report, Viviana shared that her journey was not without challenges, especially having to juggle preparations for the pageant alongside her final examinations.
However, she credited her determination and discipline for her success.
“It was a tough experience trying to manage both, but I made it through with hard work,” she said.
A fan favourite throughout the competition, Viviana impressed judges in key segments including the traditional costume round, evening gown presentation, and the final question-and-answer (Q&A) session.
She advanced to the top two alongside Nisha Thayananthan before being declared the winner.
She appeared visibly emotional as she was crowned by the outgoing titleholder, Miss Grand Malaysia 2024, Melisha Lin.
Pageant licence-holder, Dr Sean Wong, praised the success of this year’s event and expressed admiration for Viviana’s achievements.
“It’s not easy to find someone who’s willing to step up, inspire their community, and do more than just wear a crown.
“I’m extremely proud of our new queen, Viviana from Sarawak, who truly embodies all the values we uphold,” he said.
He added that Viviana’s win has opened the door to potential future collaborations in Sarawak, including the possibility of hosting the national pageant there.
“This is also an opportunity for us to explore the expansion of Miss Grand Malaysia into Sarawak and engage more deeply with communities there.
“We hope to grow our reach and attract more supporters from the state to champion our mission,” he added.
