KUALA LUMPUR: Popular singer Ernie Zakri has "struck gold" winning her first international business award.
The 27-year-old Bintang RTM 2009 champion, best known for her duets with Syamel Fodzly, will be awarded an Asean Outstanding Business Award for her prominence as a brand ambassador of the retail industry.
Ernie will receive her award at the Asean Outstanding Business Awards 2019 on Friday.
The event organised by the Asean Retail Chains And Franchise Federation (ARFF) recognises outstanding Asean businesses in various sectors.
Ernie said: "It's truly an honour to get this award. I never expected it, and I want to thank ARFF for recognising my hard work as a singer and entertainer. This award is a recognition for all Malaysian artistes who strive to make a name for themselves in entertainment and excel. It's going to be a great incentive for me to take my music to the next level."
Ernie who is the niece of singers Ziana Zain and Anuar Zain, is a music diploma graduate from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and music degree graduate from Universiti Malaya (UM).
She has an album, Sinaran (2011) to her credit.
Also a vocal coach for various singers, Ernie has had a string of popular songs since 2011, and they include Mahu Ingin Bercinta, Takkan Pudar, Misteri and Ku Bersuara.
Ernie teamed up with Syamel to win the reality talent show for duet partners Duo Star in 2017. Since then they have recorded two duets, Aku Cinta (2017) and Takkan Terlerai (2019). Aku Cinta won Best Vocals at the Anugerah Juara Lagu 32 last year.
A voiceover talent, she played two characters Bawang Merah and Bawang Putih in the animated film Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal last March.
The awards ceremony will be held at the HXC Grand Ballroom in ICC Pudu here and will be attended by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof.