PETALING JAYA: The public are encouraged to cast their votes for the first Malaysian Best Brands Award at the International Brands Consumer Fair at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre here. 

The three award categories are Best Malaysian Brand, Best International Brand and Best Emerging Brand. Five awards are given in each category. 

Organisers of the fair ？the Small and Medium Industries (SMI) Association of Malaysia, MCA Economic Bureau and the newly-set-up BestBrands Council ？will screen participating companies to ensure they meet entry requirements.  

Big names such as Digi, SsangYong, Prudential Assurance, Perodua, Ogawa, Tumasek Pewter and Nationwide Express will also have to count on the public？ votes, which will constitute 40% of the total tally. 

SMI national president Dr Looi Teong Chye said the public were the daily end-users of the brands and they should determine who should win. 

？e encourage them to come close to the brand names by visiting the fair that has over 100 companies competing for the Best Brands Award,？he said. 

The awards will be presented tomorrow at the Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel. 

The fair is open from 11am to 7pm and admission is free. Visitors will also get a chance to win prizes and cash. 

- Source from The Star Online (Nov 28, 2004) -