Cheers and jeers for sole Malaysian in modelling contest
tuti.jpg
Asia's Next Top Model website
PETALING JAYA: "I'm proud to say that, Malaysia, this one, it's for you."
So said Tuti, the only Malaysian to qualify for the fourth cycle of Asia's Next Top Model (AsNTM), on her Instagram account after making it through the auditions.
The Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, girl, who stands tall at 175cm, previously won the X Top Model Search Malaysia 2012 and a subsidiary title, the X Walk.
While her Instagram was flooded with congratulatory messages and sheer excitement over her strong chance at the title, some social media users were quick to criticise the Universiti Teknologi Mara graduate when entertainment portal Mynewshub shared the good news on Monday.
One of 14 contestants in the Asian edition of the reality modelling competition, Tuti's real name is Nuraini Noor.
Some were not pleased to discover that Tuti is a Muslim, and even dubbed her a contestant for "Next Top Neraka (Hell)".
This is because Muslims are purportedly "banned" from competitions where contestants have to expose their bodies.
On Facebook, Ahmad Waen said Tuti's success was not a point of pride, but a "disaster" for Malays.
"In this show, they are told to wear indecent clothes and be in close contact with men … better to pull out before unwanted issues arise and netizens criticise her!" he added.
Anis Anuar said she pitied Tuti's parents while Nur Syuhada asked if Malays could actually join the competition.
"I really don't support Malay Muslims joining, if non-Muslims join then I will support, like Melinda and Sheena," she added.
However, some on the same comment thread expressed sincere congratulations, with Nawie Ave saying "go go Tuti".
