KOTA BHARU, April 7 -- A sponsor of a crying competition in Kelantan has defended the event after it drew criticism online, saying participants joined voluntarily and the aim was simply to "share blessings".

Entrepreneur Wan Mohamad Rahimie Syazrin Ab Rahim said his company was the main sponsor of the three-day expo at RTC Tunjung, where the competition was held as one of several activities, according to a report in Berita Harian.

"We only wanted to share our blessings, and they (the participants) joined voluntarily without any coercion," he was quoted as saying.

The 32-year-old reportedly said the competition attracted 60 participants aged between 30 and 70, and also included a children's category.

He said initial prizes ranged from ...