Honouring HIV/AIDS activists at Malaysian AIDS Foundation-Berjaya Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award Gala Dinner
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14, 2019 – More than 500 guests comprising philanthropists, corporate figures and the crème de la crème of society’s elite thronged the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur Ballroom for the highly-anticipated Malaysian AIDS Foundation-Berjaya Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award Gala Dinner tonight. The Gala has successfully raised RM2.4 million from tables sales and sponsorships.
Besides YBhg Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, Patron of the Malaysian AIDS, and Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Chairman of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, other VIP guests present at the premier event include YB Dato’ Seri Azmin Ali, Minister of Economic Affairs, YB Dr Lee Boon Chye, Deputy Minister of Health, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan of Berjaya Corporation Berhad and Dato Sri Jessy Lai of Monspace Corporation.
This is the second consecutive year that the Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award Gala Dinner is being held to honour those who have made outstanding contributions to meet the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic in Malaysia and to raise funds to enable us to reach those goals.
Highlight of the Gala Dinner is the announcement of the winner of the deeply meaningful Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award. Results are currently held by RSM Malaysia, the Official third party auditor for the Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award.
Seven finalists have been shortlisted for the coveted award. They Dr Zaiton Yahaya, Family Medicine Specialist & Founder of Sabah AIDS Awareness Group Association; Sulastri Ariffin, HIV/AIDS Transgender Activist; Khartini Slamah, HIV/AIDS Transgender Activist; Persatuan Perantara Pesakit Kelantan (SAHABAT); Infectious Disease Clinic of Hospital Sungai Buloh; Anggerik Team, Klinik Kesihatan Cheras and Komited Malaysia (formerly known as the Drug Intervention Community Pahang).
The winner will be presented with the Malaysian AIDS Foundation-Berjaya Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award trophy by YBhg Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir and also receive a cash prize of RM20,000.
During the Gala Dinner, Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba will also launch the Malaysian AIDS Foundation’s Ending AIDS fundraising campaign – a face-to-face approach to establish personal interaction with donors in raising awareness and fundraise in efforts to end AIDS. The aim is to generate long-term sustainable income for the Foundation.
Another highlight of the evening is the presentation of the Patron Award by YBhg Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir for Long Service Trustee, Excellence in CSR and Outstanding Contribution to Ending AIDS to honour individuals and organisation for their various contributions and achievements in combating the AIDS epidemic in Malaysia.
They are YBhg Datuk Dr Raj Karim, former President of the Malaysian AIDS Council (2012-2016), in recognition of her contribution to the advancement of sexual and reproductive health and rights in Malaysia; YBhg Tan Sri Zaman Khan Rahim Khan, former President of the Malaysian AIDS Council (2010-2012) for his dedication and contribution to the field of harm reduction; and M·A·C Cosmetics Malaysia, one of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation’s long-standing corporate donors who have been supporting the cause since the early 2000s.
The evening will not be complete without song and music. While guests feast on the haute cuisine fine dining presentation by Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, they were entertained by Malaysian AIDS Foundation’s Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporters (RRCS) – actor and singer Sean Ghazi and fellow RRCS Bob Yusof.
The Gala ended on a high note with the spotlight on legendary Indonesian songstress Kris Dayanti, specially presented by Monspace, who mesmerised guests with her iconic Pop/R&B songs. She was accompanied by the illustrious RTM Orchestra.
Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporters Fahrin Ahmad and former Miss Universe Malaysia, Deborah Henry will host the Gala Dinner.
