More than just pretty faces, the top 3 girls in the Miss World Malaysia 2008 pageant are also passionate about changing the world—in their own way.
BY WAN KER-HSIN

The annual Miss World Malaysia pageant returned in 2008 with a difference. This time, public votes made up 30% of the score, giving Malaysians the chance to have a say in which beauty will represent Malaysia at the international Miss World 2008 pageant in Johannesburg, South Africa, on December 13. The top 3 Miss World Malaysia winners certainly stood out from the rest not only with their good looks but intelligence to boot. Soo Wincci, who emerged Miss World Malaysia 2008, 1st runner up Cindy Chen, and 2nd runner up Shereen Kaur dazzled their way into the judges’ hearts throughout the competition. Here, they share their hopes, dreams and work out secrets.

STAYING PAGEANT-FIT AND HEALTHY
A regular gym-goer and a sensible eater, Wincci, certainly knows how to take care of herself. But that hasn’t always been the case. “I was once on the Atkins diet,” reveals Wincci, “and I lost quite a lot of weight.” But as with any drastic diet, it came with side-effects: “I was lethargic and didn’t have any energy, as I wasn’t eating any carbohydrates to fuel my body’s needs,” she says. The result: The weight she had lost piled back on when she gave up the diet after 4 months. Now, she keeps her weight in check by following a 1200 calorie per day diet. Wincci eats anything she wants, but her key to success: Moderation.