News Release. For immediate release.

BMW Group presents the BMW 2014 in April. Defending Champion Karolina Pliskova as well as 2012 BMW Malaysian Open Champion Hsieh Su Wei confirms participation in the fourth edition of the most premium women’s tennis tournament in the country.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, February 21st, 2014 – The BMW Malaysian Open 2014 returns to the Royal Golf Club (RSGC) from the 14th – 20th of April 2014.

BMW Group Malaysia today announced that the fourth edition of the prestigious women’s tennis tournament will see a stunning field of players including the return of last year’s defending champion Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova as well as 2013 Wimbledon Doubles Champion and 2012 BMW Malaysian Open Champion, Hsieh Su Wei.

“BMW Group Malaysia is once again pleased to present the BMW Malaysian Open, the most prestigious tennis event in the country and a critical event in the calendar of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour, the largest sporting event for women in the world. The sporting event underlines our commitment in Malaysia to the sport of tennis which we support from the grassroots level with the BMW Malaysian National Circuit to the pinnacle of competitions in the form of the BMW Malaysian Open tournament.” said Dr. Gerhard Pils, Chief Executive Officer of BMW Group Malaysia.

Dr. Pils added that while the BMW Malaysian National Circuit plays the role of selecting and developing young Malaysian Tennis talents to represent the country at the world stage, the BMW Malaysian Open provides a platform for these talents to raise their game by inviting world tennis stars to the country to compete, host clinics as well as provide an avenue for local talents to learn from the best in game.

“With the participation of a great selection of top ranking WTA players, we know that this year’s tournament is going to be spectacular, raising the benchmark once again to this prestigious tennis event in the region. Stay tuned as we have more player names to be revealed in the coming weeks!” said Dr. Pils.

YBhg Tan Sri Datuk Abdul Razak Latiff, President of the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) said, “We are once again pleased to be part of the most prestigious women’s tennis tournament in Malaysia. BMW Group Malaysia has never ceased to provide the right opportunities for our very talented local players to grow in the international sporting scene. I believe, with the continuation of the BMW Malaysian Open, we will be able to progress the growth of tennis in the country.”

The tournament will once again see 32 players from the WTA, the world’s leading women’s tennis tour, compete for the singles title, world ranking points and an increased prize purse of USD250,000. The leading tennis competition for women will also feature 16 teams for the doubles title. Similarly to its previous editions, the tournament will place local talents through wild card entries.

The BMW Malaysian Open will be held at the Royal Selangor Golf Club (RSGC) from 14th to 20th April 2014. The tournament is promoted and organized by Carbon Worldwide Sdn Bhd with BMW Malaysia as the title sponsor and sanctioned by the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM). For further details, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BMWMalaysianOpen . -End-

The BMW Group

The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 24 production facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries. The BMW Group achieved a global sales volume of approximately 1.29 million automobiles and over 87,000 motorcycles for the 2009 financial year. Revenues totalled euro 50.68 billion. At 31 December 2009, the company employed a global workforce of approximately 96,000 associates. The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last six years.

About BMW Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd is a joint venture between Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) AG and Sime Darby Berhad. BMW Malaysia activities cover the wholesale and retail of BMW and MINI vehicles, BMW Motorrad and the spare parts and accessories that corresponds with the brands. The company is also responsible for the overall planning of sales, marketing, after-sales, and other related activities in Malaysia. Its dealership network covers 15 outlets in various cities across Malaysia.

Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM)

The Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) is a non-profit organization affiliated with the International Tennis Federation and all State Affiliates and Angkatan Tentera Malaysia are members of LTAM. The members determine the direction of LTAM and every two years there will be election of Office Bearers that form the Main Committee. The next election of Office Bearers will be in September 2013. The Main Committee shall comprise of the President, 3 Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer and 7 Committee members. The members will ideally elect Office Bearers who can find time to work for LTAM.

The LTAM's main objectives are to facilitate and increase participation in, development of and raise the standard of Malaysian tennis comparable with world class. LTAM works closely with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and supports its Member State Affiliates through the implementation of a wide range of tennis participation, high performance and exposure programs.

Working closely with the ITF and member State Affiliates, LTAM organizes a number of local and international tennis events, coaching certification courses, tennis officiating seminars, administrative workshops, selection trials and elite camps and a number of other programs that are vital to the development and growth of tennis in the country.

Women’s Tennis Association (WTA)

The WTA is the global leader in women’s professional sport with more than 2,500 players representing 92 nations competing for a record $96 million in prize money at the WTA’s 53 events and four Grand Slams in 32 countries. More than5.2 million people attended women’s tennis events in 2011 with millions more watching on television and digital channels around the world. The WTA competitive season concludes with the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships in Istanbul, Turkey from October 23-28 and the Tournament of Champions in Sofia, Bulgaria from October 30-November 3. Further information on the WTA can be found on www.wtatennis.com.

The Royal Selangor Golf Club

The Royal Selangor Golf Club or The RSGC as it is popularly known by its renowned acronym has a long and illustrious history that is associated with the birth and dawn of golf in Malaysia. It was founded at the time when the game was just beginning to be popularised by the privileged few in society. The Club's existence is indeed a long road travelled and a long experience of friendly good camaraderie, pleasant social interaction and the excellence of amenities, which it offers. A Club unsurpassed, The RSGC's stature, as the premier golf club in the country since its early founding years remains unrivalled.

Carbon Sports Sdn Bhd

A company that has developed a full range of expertise in initiating, commercially developing and

implementing executive sport and entertainment properties, media and corporate hospitality. These include professional and amateur golf, tennis, sailing, cycling, football and motor-sports properties. In entertainment the company experiences cover conferences, exhibitions, concerts, pageants and television shows

With the company headquarters in , Carbon Sports Sdn Bhd has established a network and partnerships in all of the key markets across the region. This local presence and knowledge married with a global outlook has been the key foundation in bringing together and forging the successful partnerships between governments, local corporations, global companies and media which ensures the successful planning and execution of a major project.

If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact:

Arcis Communications Sdn Bhd

Fione Wong Angeline Chandran

T: 03 7805 7133 T: 03 7805 7133

M: 012 687 0086 M: 016 9166 461

E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]