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SINGAPORE: Former Miss Singapore World Ris Low has clarified comments in media reports where she said stealing credit cards was fun.
Speaking to Channel NewsAsia in an exclusive interview, Ms Low said her actions were the result of her bipolar disorder.
The beauty queen gave up her crown last month after it was revealed that she was convicted of credit card fraud.
She said she has learnt a lot from the saga and that despite the bad publicity, she remains positive in life.
She said: "I don't mean that stealing credit cards was fun. But the thrill that I felt - the feeling that I got from stealing credit cards was there. That was what I was trying to explain. But it's not that I am encouraging young people to steal credit cards or anything like this.
"When you have bipolar, you're always out to seek adventure, to seek something new, something fun and something that's out of the world that nobody can do. Something that is totally out the world and you have such a hot passion for."
Ris also reiterated that she did not cheat in her exams.
She said: "That's one thing I want to correct. It was just pieces of paper and irrelevant notes found inside my pencil box. And I was about to hand in the paper when they were found. This is something that I want to say to everybody, that I didn't have the intention to cheat."
When asked how she felt that people did not believe her side of the story, Ris said: "What I'm saying is the truth. It's up to you to believe it or not. I don't have the time or that much energy to explain to you what I have to say and what I have to deal with. I have enough things on my hands already. So, it's fine if you don't believe me."
So how does Ris handle her urge to steal?
She said: "I don't think I have the urge to steal anymore because now I am more of a shopaholic. So I overspend. I tend to spend my mom's money like nobody's business."
Despite the bad publicity, the 19-year-old remains positive in life and when asked what she plans to do in future, she said: "If I can, I would like to open up a cake shop.......And another one of my dreams is to be a nurse where I can help everybody and give back to society."
Ris added that even if she were given a second chance, she would not want to change anything.
"Everything that has happened to me has made me grow up, made me tougher, made me stronger, which is why I am standing here right now and standing tall, head high up. I think that's what's most important." - CNA/vm
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