• Designed by Malaysian designer Ezuwan Ismail, the costume weighs around 30 kg and measures about 1.77 metres tall.
• It uses locally-sourced Malaysian fabrics such as ‘songket’ and also features ‘sulam tebuk’ embroidery, and includes headgear and a sword.
• “I feel powerful wearing this dress. Through this costume, I want to show the world that a woman can be both fierce and graceful,” said Lim, who is a Selangor-born actress, model and host.
• The costume, featured in the national costume category, is inspired by the Pahang folklore heroine Puteri Walinong Sari, renowned for her beauty and combat skills.
• In the legend, Puteri Walinong Sari refused to marry for the sake of tradition, choosing instead to master her combat skills and safeguard her kingdom.
