KUALA LUMPUR: Miss International Malaysia (MIM) 2022 finalist Abby Lee has come under fire from Netizens for her "unpatriotic and racist" remarks she made on social media.
Her outrageous remarks on Instagram went viral after a Facebook user identified as Hui shared them last weekend.
One of the statements Lee allegedly made read: "Why was I born in a kampung in Malaysia and not a city in China? I love China and Japan."
Another read: "I've never considered myself a Malaysian and have always wanted to migrate."
Enraged Netizens demanded that Lee be disqualified from MIM and some even called for her to be "banished to China or Japan".
Netizens mostly agreed that she lacked the qualities of a beauty queen, who was supposed to be a goodwill ambassador of the country.
The organisers of MIM subsequently removed all pictures and mention of Lee from their Instagram account.
Following this, Lee said on Instagram Story that some of the accusations made against her were false.
"Recently, I have noticed some false news that I did harm to myself and MIM 2022. I was in an emotional state following an incident with a photographer who did not do a good job," said Lee.
"I vented my anger, but I had no malicious intent, and I apologise to everyone who has been offended."
She also said that the organisers of MIM "were not involved" but gave her a warning after they learnt about the incident.
"Any other messages about me were groundless rumours, but it was my fault. I sincerely accept all the criticisms and sincerely apologise to everyone."