Mila

KUALA LUMPUR: For the first time reality show Akademi Fantasia has a female winner. Nor Syarmilla Jirin (Mila) from Penang was crowned champion of Akademi Fantasia 5 in a colourful grand finale at Stadium Putra in Bukit Jalil yesterday. Since its first season the top spot in the talent search show had been won by male contestants. Past champions were Vince (2003), Zahid (2004), Mawi (2005), and Faizal (2006).

Mila’s performances wowed the 8,000-strong crowd and impressed permanent judges Fauziah Ahmad Daud, Fauziah Latiff and Hattan, and guest judge director Mamat Khalid. She sang two songs, 'Cinta Pura-Pura', popularised by Ezlynn and 'Persis Mutiara', an original composed by Ajai and written by Loloq. The 20-year-old won RM20,000 from Hotlink, a RM84,489.48 Toyota Vios 1.5G, a RM278,900 condominium at D Savoy Condo Park, A Famosa Resort, Malacca, a RM6,388 holiday package to Gold Coast, Australia, from Power Root, a RM600 trophy from Astro and a RM10,000 Bank Simpanan Nasional premium savings certificate.

The second place was won by Ebi Kornelis @ Firdaus Yaimal (Ebi), 24, from Kota Kinabalu. He took home RM10,000 from Hotlink, a RM77,080.38 Toyota Vios 1.5E, a RM2,688 holiday in Hong Kong from Power Root, a RM500 trophy from Astro and a RM7,000 BSN premium savings certificate. He belted out Farhana, a song made popular by Jinbara, and Sinar Cinta, an original composed by M. Nasir with the lyrics penned by Loloq.

Third place went to Muhammad Nur Aswad Jafar (Aswad), 27, from Penang. He performed Mata Hati Jiwa, popularised by Awie, and an original song, Bila Mati Cinta Terhenti, composed by Razman Riza, with the lyrics by Mukhlis Nor. He won RM5,000, a holiday package, a trophy and a RM5,000 BSN premium savings certificate.