KUCHING: A graceful belly dancing by a lady who believes that money is an important asset in life has won Pauline Lau the judges’ votes on Saturday night.
Lau was crowned Miss Cheongsam Charity 2009 during the grand final of the pageant contest at a leading hotel here.

The 24-year-old Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s (Unimas) student who hails from Kuching is a young ambitious lady who wants to become a scientist.

The Foochow lass, dressed in a traditional red Cheongsam, also impressed the judges with her confident look and clear voice during the question and answer session.

Lau also won the subsidiary title of Miss Scents and was the tallest of all the 15 finalists.

She took home RM3,000 for the title and RM2,500 worth of gifts from the subsidiary title.

The crown was presented to her by Alaric’s Production Company owner Alaric Soh and Miss Cheongsam Malaysia 2008 Yek Loon Vui.

The grand final of the pageant contest started with a preview of some of the previous grand finals in a video followed by an opening dance and an introduction session by all the finalists.

After that, audience and guests were treated to some entertainment before the finalists exhibited their talent in the talent show with singing, dancing and Chinese martial arts performance.

Later on, the finalists were asked about their desire to compete in the pageant contest and another question about the most desirable things that a woman wanted.

Subsequently, finalists wore their self-designed cheongsam.

The first runner-up of the Miss Cheongsam Charity 2009 went to Liew Sin Yi, a 20-year-old teacher from Serian. Liew also won the subsidiary title for Miss Photogenic.

She received RM2,000 as the first runner-up and another RM300 for being Miss Photogenic.

The second runner-up went to 22-year-old Jong Nhing Shuan of Kuching, also a student of Unimas. Jong was also awarded the subsidiary title of Miss Crowning Glory.

She received RM1,000 as second runner-up and RM1,000 worth of gifts for her subsidiary title.

The third and fourth runners-up went to 21-year-old Lee Chai Jen from Serian and 19-year-old Chang Hui Chung.

Lee also won the subsidiary title of Miss Talent for her Taichi performance.

Lee received RM500 as third runner-up winner and RM500 for Miss Talent while Chang received RM300 as the fourth runner-up. The other subsidiary title winners were Best Cheongsam, Ling Wong Lee; Miss Charity, Bong Siaw Fui; and Miss Friendship, Poh Chin Foon. Ling and Bong each received RM500 while Poh took home RM300.

Other finalists were Lee Syn Ju, Chin Siew Ping, Regita Philip, Ling Siew Hui, Wong Ching Ing, Chai Swee Ming and Then Chew Feng.

Officiating at the event was Deputy Works Minister Datuk Yong Khoon Seng who donated RM10,000 to Sarawak Hun Nam Siang T’ng, a benevolent society.

Main sponsor Naim Holdings Berhad presented cheques totalling RM50,000 to Chung Hua Primary Schools No. 1 to 6, Chung Hua Middle School No. 1, 3 and 4, and the Sarawak Hun Nam Siang T’ng.

Among those present were Naim Holdings Berhad deputy managing director Dr Sharifuddin Wahab and the Federation of Kuching and Samarahan Divisions Chinese Associations chairman Dr Chou Chii Ming.

The Borneo Post, See Hua Daily News, Utusan Borneo, Lea Centre, Inspiration Alan Salon and Academy, The Waterfront Cafe and Restaurant, Diamond Press Sdn Bhd, Star World Timepiece Sdn Bhd were among the co-sponsors of the contest.

(Taken from Borneo Post Online)