06/08/2025

LYFE WEDNESDAY | AUG 6, 2025

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Miss Universe Malaysia 2024 Sandra Lim.

Miss Universe Malaysia 2025 reveals top 16 finalists Miss Universe Malaysia 2024 Sandra Lim (in gold), Livonia and Chong with the top 16 finalists at the press conference in Bangsar.

Ű BY JOHN TAN

Dr Nisha Puvan, an internal medicine specialist with a special interest in gastroenterology and currently working in a government hospital here, said it started as a passion project. “Wearing vibrant (batik) prints lifted my spirits and created a positive vibration with my colleagues and patients,” she said in an interview recently. She is the founder of Craftbynishapuvan, a custom-made clothing brand, which she runs from Subang Jaya, Selangor. She said the idea took off during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 when she began making batik face masks. But a key turning point came in August 2023 when the Public Service Department issued a directive requiring civil servants, including doctors in public hospitals, to wear batik every Thursday. That was when Nisha decided to create batik scrubs for hospital staff. To make sure the batik attire would not compromise practicality and hygiene, she did her own research, testing fabrics that met S IXTEEN finalists have been selected by the Miss Universe Malaysia 2025 (Mumo) organisation to compete to become the next Miss Universe Malaysia 2025 in September. The finalists are Bhadrani Nagendran (27), Chloe Chin (24), Chloe Lim (27), Elaine Cheah (26), Elina Cheah (24), Jen Li (28), Joey Leong (25), Kavita Sanglish (26), Keerthanaah Parthipan (25), Malveen Kaur (31), Priscilla Yap (25), Priyaa Simmi (30), Priyanka Sockanathan (24), Ranmeet Jassal (33), Tan Su Jie (25) and Valenice Tiong (36). According to Mumo’s new national director Charissa Chong, the finalists were selected through a combination of votes from a panel of professional judges and

o Contestants will undergo two weeks of intensive programme

the finalists will undergo a two week intensive programme that includes mentoring sessions, fitness training and public speaking to prepare them for the international stage. Fans can tune in to the official Miss Universe Malaysia YouTube channel to follow the finalists’ journey, as Mumo will document their journey in webisodes.

the public, following in-person and online auditions held in June. Contestants were assessed on intellect, cultural awareness, communication skills, poise and confidence, with 26 shortlisted before proceeding to the final top 16. “It was an incredibly tough decision, as all of them brought something unique to the table.

journey with Miss Universe Malaysia,” said Mumo chairperson Datin Seri Livonia Ricky Guing. In the lead-up to pageant week,

The Top 16 finalists we have selected represent a powerful purpose and potential, and we are confident they will continue to grow and thrive throughout their

Batik scrubs brighten up hospital wards A Malaysian doctor, seeking a practical yet patriotic way to dress at work, has started a quiet fashion trend in hospitals by producing a range of hospital-compliant scrubs for healthcare sector employees. infection control standards while remaining breathable, durable and colourfast. “The scrubs had to be short In some district hospitals, some of their departments order them in specific colours – such as blue batik scrubs for Mondays and green for Tuesdays.

sleeved, free from embellishments that could potentially harbour bacteria and withstand frequent washing. “I wore them myself daily – tweaking pocket sizes, material thickness, and even testing how colours held up over time,” she said, adding that her scrubs are made from cotton-blend fabrics adorned with batik prints, handcrafted by local artisans using traditional techniques. For Nisha, functionality is key. “Doctors are constantly on the move – from clinics to wards (and) emergency situations – and we carry many items. So I designed (scrubs with) large pockets and added tailored features without compromising style,” she said. Today, her scrubs are being worn by many doctors working in government and private hospitals and at private practices nationwide. While she expressed her desire to collaborate with the Health Ministry to supply batik scrubs to public hospitals on a larger scale, currently, she receives bulk orders from only certain departments of government hospitals.

Her client base also includes Malaysian professionals working abroad, particularly in the UK and Australia. “It is mostly Malaysians abroad who want to wear something that connects them to home. Batik gives them a sense of pride in being a Malaysian,” she said. Nisha manages her business on her own – from handling her social media accounts and taking orders to quality control and packaging. “It is a one-woman show. I have a couple of tailors, but everything else is done by me. “If a print is not nice, they will say so. It is my way of introducing them to Malaysian heritage,” she said, adding that her four-year-old twin daughters are also involved in the creative process. Apart from scrubs, Craftbynishapuvan also creates custom-made batik sarees, cheongsam, baju melayu, lehenga and coordinated family sets. “We cater to all body types. Some families choose a single signature batik print and request different styles to be made, such as a

Nisha relishes in ‘quiet pride’ from seeing her design being worn in cold and clinical spaces. – BERNAMAPIC

orders at night while her children are asleep. “Craft comes after-hour. It is how I unwind and recalibrate,” she said. Referring to her batik scrubs, she shared: “This is my form of patriotism. A quiet pride. We may not realise it, but even what we wear can carry our identity, dignity and culture into places that feel cold and clinical. “Every time I see a doctor in batik scrubs, not just in my hospital but any other place, it reminds me Malaysian heritage is alive, adaptable and proudly worn.” – Bernama

cheongsam for mum, Mandarin collared shirt for dad, and matching outfits for the children.” Recognising the need for modest wear among Muslim doctors, the brand is expanding its range of scrubs to include adjustable sleeves, longer tunics and higher necklines. Sustainability is also a priority, with Craftbynishapuvan using deadstock fabrics (leftover materials from larger productions) to reduce waste. Nisha attends to her business after working hours, often packaging