Kaspersky Lab's Inaugural Think-Big Channel Awards

Deputy Minister of the Malaysian Ministry of Finance – Datuk Kong Cho Ha (3rd from right), along with Harry Cheung (2nd from left), Managing Director for Kaspersky Lab Asia Pacific presented the Kaspersky King Award to the top retailers.

Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content management solutions kicked off the first Malaysian IT Channel Awards held in recognition of its 500 retail partners nationwide.

The prestigious event was graced by Deputy Minister of the Malaysian Ministry of Finance – Datuk Kong Cho Ha, along with Harry Cheung, Managing Director for Kaspersky Lab Asia Pacific, Gun Suk Ling, Director of Channel for Kaspersky Lab South East Asia, Datuk Dr Halim Shafie, Chairman for Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, and Alexander Karchava, the Russian Ambassador, Embassy of the Russia Federation.

A spectacular opening gambit – a Chinese drums performance – started off the night in high note at the grand ballroom of Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur. The evening tagged Think-Big Channel Awards was heightened with live entertainment, a glorious dinner, lucky draw prizes and of course, the highly anticipated Channel Awards.

The most coveted title – The Kaspersky King Award – was given to top three retail performers. First place went to Sri Computers, followed by Cubix Technology and Jayacom Information.

A total of 13 awards were given away, including Best Display Outlet, Best Strategic Price Partner, Best PC Fair Partner, Tomorrow Star, Best Kaspersky-Guy Partner Award, and Most Supportive Region Partner (inclusive of Northern, Southern, East Coast, East Malaysia and Central Regions).

Datuk Kong officially opened the event delivering a significant address on the need of research and development labs to be set up in Malaysia to train skilled IT talents. He also applauded the efforts of foreign internet security companies like Kaspersky Lab, which contributed greatly to the local IT industry.

Datuk Kong Cho Ha received the memento from Harry Cheung represented the award ceremony has held successfully.

Harry Cheung, Managing Director for Kaspersky Lab Asia Pacific on the other hand delivered a remarkable presentation on Kaspersky Lab’s rapid expansion and growth in Asia. A multimedia presentation was also featured, showing Malaysian news clippings and events on Kaspersky that took place since the opening of its regional office here.

More than 20 Malaysian media attended the event that include Malaysian news wire agency Bernama, PC.com, CHIP magazine, Smart Investor magazine, The Edge/Financial Daily newspapers, Nanyang Siang Pau, Sin Chew Daily, United Daily News, Kosmo! Online, New Straits Times, Berita Harian, TV3 and Capital FM 88.9 radio station.

Prior to the awards night, Harry Cheung was interviewed on air by Capital FM 88.9 radio about Kaspersky Lab and the interview was aired live an hour before the kick-off of the Channel Awards.