Bintulu lass Claudia Nera, 19 among the 18 finalists vying for title Miss Borneo Beautiful 2009.

Bintulu lass, Claudia Nera is among 18 finalists vying for the inaugural Miss Borneo Beautiful 2009 title to be held in Kuching on Monday night.

The 19-year old Claudia is of Iban and Chinese parentage and the sole representative from Bintulu in a contest dominated by Kuching beauties.

The beauty contest Initially known as Miss Dayak Sarawak pageant 2009, later renamed Miss Borneo Beautiful 2009 following objections from various Dayak NGOs including Serakup Indu Dayak Sarawak.

Claudia Nera, 19 (Photo: Miss Borneo Beautiful).

Pageant organiser, Alaric Soh, of Alaric Productions, said the pageant was to highlight Sarawak’s indigenous culture and to promote the tourism industry in the state.

The beauty pageant is open to all single Dayaks or those with Dayak parentage, aged between 17 and 24, and with height of at least 160cm.

The top three winners will take home RM5,000, RM2,000 and RM1,000 respectively.