Leona Rejects Nepotism Claims, Says Queen’s Guide and King’s Scout Honours Were Earned
KUALA LUMPUR: Actress and social media personality Kasih Oris Leona has firmly dismissed claims that her recent Queen’s Guide and King’s Scout honours were awarded because of her family background, insisting that the achievements were the result of years of hard work and dedication.
Leona, who is also the daughter of celebrity chef Datuk Redzuawan Ismail, better known as Chef Wan, said the prestigious scouting awards could not simply be obtained through influence or family connections.
Instead, she said the honours require extensive training, strict assessments and a strong commitment to leadership and personal development.
The actress addressed the allegations in a video uploaded on TikTok after social media users questioned whether her success was linked to her family’s status.
“Some people shared photos of me receiving the Queen’s Guide and King’s Scout awards and suddenly there were comments saying it was all because of nepotism,” she said.
Leona responded to the accusations by highlighting the demanding process behind the awards, saying the achievements could not be bought or handed out based on privilege.
“If nepotism can build an entire campsite by itself, then maybe the accusations are true.
“If nepotism can write 13 scouting logbooks by hand, then perhaps I’ll agree as well,” she said sarcastically.
According to Leona, many people are unaware that the Queen’s Guide and King’s Scout awards are among the highest recognitions in the scouting movement and require years of preparation.
Participants are assessed on leadership, outdoor skills, teamwork, discipline and their ability to complete a series of challenging assignments.
She said every candidate must meet the same standards regardless of family background or social status.
Leona also denied claims that her mother held an influential position in the Girl Guides organisation that could have helped her secure the awards.
“There are people claiming that my mother is the Chief Commissioner of Girl Guides Malaysia.
“That is completely untrue.
“My mother does not hold any position in the organisation, either in Malaysia or internationally,” she said.
She added that her mother was not even allowed to serve as an assessor during the evaluation process because both Leona and her sister were participants.
According to her, this was done to ensure the assessments remained fair and impartial.
Reflecting on the challenges she faced, Leona said obtaining the King’s Scout title was one of the most demanding experiences of her life.
She recalled having to perform physically exhausting tasks without receiving any special treatment.
“While some participants already had bamboo poles prepared for them, our group had to measure and cut everything ourselves before we could even begin building the campsite.
“We had to do it all from scratch,” she said.
Leona said the experience taught her important lessons about perseverance, discipline and resilience.
She acknowledged that being born into a well-known family often means that her achievements are scrutinised more closely than others.
Nevertheless, she hopes people will judge individuals based on their efforts and accomplishments rather than assumptions about privilege.
“I can’t control what people choose to believe.
“But I know exactly how much work I put in to get here,” she said.
Leona added that the awards represent more than personal success.
For her, they serve as proof that achievements are earned through commitment and determination, regardless of one’s background or family name.
