Ratu Teluwaih Jinih
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Teluwaih Jinih (Malay: Wanita Cantik; English: Beautiful Lady) is a local beauty pageant based in Mukah, Sarawak. Began in 2008, it is the centerpiece of the Mukah Kaul Festival, which usually lasts a week.[1]
| Formation | 2008 |
|---|---|
| Type | Beauty pageant |
| Headquarters | Mukah, Sarawak |
| Location | Malaysia |
Official language | |
Parent organization | Melanau Mukah Association |
The current Teluwaih Jinih is Sharvel Sebastian from Mukah. She was crowned by outgoing titleholder, Joshelynnia Jackery on 1 May 2026 at Kala Dana Beach, Mukah. This marks the second time in the pageant history that a district has won twice consecutively.[2]
Background
Teluwaih Jinih literally means "beautiful lady" in the Melanau language and is one of the main event during Kaul Mukah festival.[3] The pageant is open for participants of Melanau descent ages 18 to 30 and is held to find the icon for Melanau women aside from promoting and enliven the festival itself. The competition has the concept of showcasing the traditional Melanau attire and contemporary attire that is prepared by the participants themselves and was conceived specially to promote the Melanau traditional attire to those people who never knew about the Melanau culture. From 2023 edition onward, the evening gown segment was added to showcase the gown made by Sarawakian designers.
Besides than promoting the culture, the competition itself also provide Melanau's women a chance and opportunities to showcase their abilities, talents and knowledge as well as to discover modelling talents among its participants.[4] The competition is applicable to those of the Melanau race (pure or mixed), from or outside Mukah and organized by the Sri Ritma Borneo Mukah Culture Club and Melanau Mukah Association.[5][6]
Titleholders
| Edition | Ratu Teluwaih Jinih | Age[a] | Represented | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sharvel Iris Sebastian Umat | 22 | Mukah | 1 Mei 2026 |
| 2025 | Joshelynnia Josefinna Jackery | 19 | 24 April 2025 | |
| 2024 | Catherine Budin[7] | 26 | Dalat | 18 July 2024 |
| 2023 | Eunice Vanessa Francis[8] | 20 | Miri | 29 April 2023 |
| Pageant cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||||
| No pageant was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||
| Pageant cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||
| No pageant | ||||
| 2018 | Alicia Faustina Juran[9] | 22 | Kuching | 26 April 2018 |
| 2017 | Racheal Chia[10] | 17 | Miri | 26 April 2017 |
| No pageant | ||||
| 2015 | Hilda Melissa Setia[11] | 24 | Dalat | 24 April 2015 |
| 2014 | Quyyns Evysia Waysia[12] | 20 | Kuching | 26 April 2014 |
| 2013 | Wawa Kassim | Dalat | 28 April 2013 | |
| 2012 | Ayu Kasputri[13] | Kuching | 27 April 2012 | |
| 2011 | Madellina Bujang[14] | 23 | Miri | 27 April 2011 |
| 2010 | Juliet Ono | Sibu | 26 April 2010 | |
| 2009 | Geroldyien Ginda | 18 | Mukah | 26 April 2009 |
| 2008 | Connilia Tu | 17 | 26 April 2008 | |
List of Runner-ups
| Edition | 1st Runner-Up | 2nd Runner-Up | 3rd Runner-Up | 4th Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Rohadatul Arissa Abdullah Mukah |
Nurul Dhabitah Sebli Dalat |
||
| 2025 | Yvonne Natasya Bell Mukah |
Elmeldha Dellalynno Stalin Mukah |
Alexzandra Garnett Mukah |
Nur Azatul Hanim Jeffereen Mukah |
| 2024 | Emassuria Scholyend Samsuhidi Mukah |
Intan Hayanie Muzzammil Dalat |
Norfazura Abdullah Mohamad Salim Bintulu |
Ann Eleanor Michael Umat Mukah |
| 2023 | Iman Annemarie Sulaiman Kuching |
Criselda Yap Dalat |
Patricia Vivina Cosmas Miri |
Charmaine Chan William Kuching |
| Pageant cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||
| No pageant was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||
| Pageant cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||
| No pageant | ||||
| 2018 | Catherine Budin | Zetty Morshidi | Nor Fitrah Izatul | Joecyline Neomy |
| 2017 | Natalie Abdullah | Felicia Juran | Not awarded | |
| No pageant | ||||
| 2015 | Aida Suyong | Siti Hajar Morni | Not awarded | |
| 2014 | Karmila Yahdi | Aida Suyong | ||
| 2013 | No data | |||
| 2012 | No data | |||
| 2011 | Nuraini Hasnul | Noraini Amin | Not awarded | |
| 2010 | No data | |||
| 2009 | ||||
| 2008 | ||||
List of Districts by Number of Wins
| District | Total of Win(s) | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Mukah | 4 | 2008, 2009, 2025, 2026 |
| Dalat | 3 | 2013, 2015, 2024 |
| Kuching | 2012, 2014, 2018 | |
| Miri | 2011, 2017, 2023 | |
| Sibu | 1 | 2010 |
Notes
- Ages at the time of the pageant