Clearly a winner from the start

SHE was contestant number one and was already a favourite from the start where she wore a traditional costume. 

Even before the top five selections were announced, she had won five out of the 10 subsidiary titles.  

So it was hardly a surprise when 25-year-old brand development associate Melissa Ann Tan Swee Yen was crowned Miss Malaysia Universe 2006 during a gala grand finals at Palace of the Golden Horses, recently.  

2005 Miss Malaysia Universe Angela Gan passing the crown to Tan.

“It is still a surprise for me though,” said Tan at a short press conference after the event.  

The Malacca-born lass oozed confidence during the question-answer session.  

“I will set a good example to attract other potential young women to participate in the pageant during my reign as Miss Malaysia Universe. 

Tan also wonthe Miss TPXTrendysubsidiary title.

“That is how I will carry myself as queen for the coming year,” was her winning answer to a question by emcee K.T. Pillai. 

Tan won RM5,000, a crown, trophy and designer outfits worth RM50,000 and will be representing Malaysia in the Miss Universe Pageant 2006 in Los Angeles from July 5 to 24. 

The five titles won by Tan are Miss De Beaute Body Beautiful, Miss Skinnic Perfect Beauty, Miss Wacoal Malaysia, Miss Sachs Personality and Miss TPX Trendy. 

First runner-up was Rehka Athmalingam, 20, and second runner-up 23-year-old Daphne Chan, both students, who won RM3,000 and RM2,000, respectively, as well as other prizes. 

Rehka won four other subsidiary titles - Miss Love and Photogenic, Miss Nelson's Popular, Miss Pola Natural Beauty and Miss Thomas and Guys Crowning Glory, while Chan took the Miss Congeniality title.  

During the event, the 14 finalists were put through four rounds, parading in different outfits before the top five selections were made.  

Starting off with traditional wear that came in black, swimwear was next.  

Clearly a favourite round among the guests, the contestants paraded in connecting two-piece bikini.  

The contrasting and unique design in black and white was paired with a pareo.  

Another favourite round was the TPX jeans parade.  

Pairing denim mini-skirts, shorts and skin-tight jeans with tube-tops, the contestants posed with various Sachs handbags.  

The eveningwear was all in black as well.  

Host for the evening was Pageant Promotions managing director Alice Lee.  

Guest-of-honour at the event was deputy minister of culture, arts and heritage Datuk Wong Kam Hoong.