Kota Kinabalu: A different welcome awaited Miss World 2025 Opal Suchata Chuangsri at the newly completed historic Atkinson Clock Tower, Tuesday
“To make it more meaningful, this time we deliberately opted for a change. Instead of receiving our distinguished guest within the City Hall’s office, we chose to welcome you outdoors.
“We did this because cities are not defined by buildings alone, but by their stories, their heritage and their living environment shared by their people,” Sabin said.
He said while the century-old Clock Tower tells a “powerful story of endurance, transformation, resilience and beautification, “you represent beauty with a purpose, compassion expressed through action and influence guided by purpose.
“Through your global platform, the story of Kota Kinanalu is shared with the world, not only as a destination of beauty, but as a city that values heritage, sustainability and thoughtful progress.
“City Hall feels truly very fortunate to be among the city chosen by the organisers and we do not take this lightly,” Sabin said.
A special rite that marked the day was the ‘Launch gimmick-Tree Watering.
Opal watered an Indian Mahagony (Aphanamlxls poystachya) , Sabin, an African Tulip (Spathodea campanulate) while Miss World Malaysia Taanusitya Chetty watered a Perfume Tree (Cananga odorata).
“The tree watering ceremony this morning may appear simple, yet its symbolism is deep, Renewal, care, and commitment, it reminds us that every generation inherits culture, heritage and nature and bears the duty to pass them forward stronger than they were received.”
Opal thanked DBKK for the unique welcome.
She said Sabah has it all - beautiful people, beautiful nature, beautiful weather and kindness in people’s hearts.
“As a representative of Beauty with a Purpose , I am honoured to be here touching lives of not only human, children but also nature. Let us be remembered, not by how much we take from the world but how well we nurture and preserve it.”
Also speaking at the occasion, Miss World Miss Malaysia Taanusitya Chetty described her week long visit as “an amazing journey throughout”
“It’s truly something that I ‘ve never experienced in KL, an especially the sunsets…it’s one of a kind.”
