GEORGE TOWN (Malaysia): Twenty-year-old Stefanie Chua of Penang was thrilled to be crowned Miss Malaysia Queen International 2008 on Sunday.

The 174-cm-tall student of mass communications beat 13 other finalists in the annual beauty pageant.

She received RM8,000 cash, a crown, a sash, trophy and other prizes.

Chua is no stranger to beauty pageants. She was Miss Oriental Queen 2008 and the first runner-up in Malaysia Top Model of the World 2008.

The runner-up in the Miss Malaysia Queen International pageant was Sabahan physics student Mandy Nandu. The aspiring businesswoman received RM3,000, a crown, sash, trophy and other prizes.

A 25-year-old engineer from Penang, Natalie Chuah, came in third.

She received RM2,000, a crown, sash, trophy and other prizes.

Chuah also clinched the Miss Tian Qi Beauty Chef title.

The event, held for the third year, was organised by the Lions Club of George Town to raise funds for a kidney dialysis centre. The RM800,000 dialysis centre will be set up by next year.