KUALA LUMPUR: Unlike beauty pageants that call for slim figures, Jumbo Queen 2010 was specially organised for plus size women in the country. Contestants were not required to parade in swimsuits. Instead they had to showcase their singing, dancing or acting talent. The event was organised by and held at Sungei Wang Plaza.

This year's winner Karina Abdullah, 24, weighs 107kg. Karina, who is in hotel management, received RM5,000 (S$2,074), a trophy and a sash. She wooed the judges and the crowd with her bubbly personality in the final round of the competition.

First runner-up operations manager Mandy Ong, 32 said she loved to watch models on the catwalk and was thrilled when she found out about Jumbo Queen 2010. She is the second heaviest contestant at 125kg.

Ong strongly feels that plus size women are also sexy. Her favourite celebrity is Sammi Cheng, a Hong Kong pop star and actress. Ong admires Cheng's fashion sense and would love to be popular like her someday. She was athletic in school and her favourite games were netball and basketball. Although she is comfortable with her body, she would like to shed some kilos to be healthier.

Ong received her father's blessings to participate in the contest.

"My dad was supportive of my interest to participate in this contest," said Ong.

Ong took home RM3,000, a trophy and a sash.

Second runner-up Lee Hui Leng, 33 weighs 112kg. About 40 of her friends and family members came to support her. She works as a secretary and says she is an expert in cooking Chinese dishes.

During the finals, she performed a Taiwanese act. The song that accompanied the act meant "even if you are not rich you can still be happy".

Nurulaqilah Rosli, 22, won the title for most popular contestant and RM500. Nurulaqilah weighs 115kg and is married with two children. She works as a cashier at Pak Hailam Kopitiam in Sungei Wang. Almost 50 of her coworkers including her manager were cheering for her at the finals.

Among the 10 finalists were Suhaily Mohamad Ali, 33, who is a housewife and mother of six. She has been married for 14 years and weighs 143 kg. Suhaily is the heaviest contestant in the pageant.

Suhaily said she started to gain weight after the birth of her second child.

She says she is healthy although she is overweight. Her husband, six children and relatives came to cheer her on.

"I found out about the pageant through a magazine. Initially, I was too embarrassed to participate but my husband and children were supportive. I also made some friends during the contest and I had a pleasant experience," said Suhaily.

Another finalist Chai Thiah Chin, 24, also known as Momo came all the way from Ipoh to participate in the contest.

She weighs 120kg and is a hair stylist. Her advice to all plus size women is to flaunt their beauty instead of hiding their curves in large clothes.

"If you are a plus size so be it. Do not wear large clothes and look frumpy. Instead always strive to look your best and do pay attention to grooming.

"All women should pay attention to beautifying themselves. Nothing should stop them from looking beautiful, not even their weight," said Chai.

The pageant was open to Malaysian females aged 18 years and above, weighing over 80kg, single and married.