That is just bad politics

Was it all the work of a jealous fellow contestant?

Event organiser Edmund Ooi of Asia Music People said he's standing by the girls - even if there may be some "schemers" around.

He said: "We've had good publicity, where we've showcased some really beautiful, intelligent and talented finalists. If it's really one of the contestants sending these anonymous tip-offs, then I want to tell her that by betraying her fellow finalists, she is betraying the pageant and ultimately betraying herself. I personally do not encourage any of the girls to look at the negative side of things. That is just bad politics."

Mr Ooi said he was not benefiting from the negative publicity. But he said the girls have handled themselves well in the face of adversity.

He said he hoped that more sponsors would get on board the pageant bandwagon to support the girls who have remained steadfast.

In the last two weeks, more has been said about the Miss World Singapore (MWS) pageant than in the last two years.

Scandals

Anonymous e-mails had been sent to The New Paper of scandals and controversies surrounding MWS 2013 finalists and the pageant itself.

Miss Vanessa Tan, 19, was accused of being a freelance prostitute who plied her trade online.

The model-dancer denied the allegations.

Then came the revelation that restaurant owner Teri Chua, 22, was the same woman reported by Stomp in 2010 to have defamed Miss Universe Singapore 2009 Rachel Kum. Miss Chua admitted to signing a letter of apology to Miss Kum and resolving the dispute in an out-of-court settlement.

What followed was the controversy over Mr Ooi being accused of favouring the wealthier finalists in the pageant. He had revealed to the girls that the audience at the MWS 2013 finals this Sunday would get to vote, sparking off a debate that as the wealthier finalists were able to afford more tables - at $2,500 for a table of 10 seats - at the finals, they would have an "unfair' advantage. Mr Ooi said he wanted the finalists to convince strangers to support them to prove their campaigning ability for their chosen charities should they win.


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