Hilton Kuching, Sarawak’s Iconic Hotel Turns 30

   Raises RM250,000 during charity gala for the benefit of Malaysian AIDS Foundation in aid of Teratak Kasih Tok Nan

KUCHING, Sarawak – 15 July 2018: A charity gala dinner to support Teratak Kasih Tok Nan, a one-stop support centre for people living with HIV in Kuching, Sarawak, was held at Hilton Kuching as part of its 30^th anniversary celebration. Hilton Kuching widely recognised as the beacon of Sarawak hospitality partnered with Malaysian AIDS Foundation to host an evening encompassing live entertainment, a stand-up comedy show, and auctioning as well as a memorable culinary experience celebrating three decades of hospitality in Kuching.

Present during the event was; Yang Berhomat Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports who represented Chief Minister of Sarawak, Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Patinggi Dr Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg and his wife Yang Amat Berbahagia Datin Patinggi Dato Hajjah Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Haji Bujang; Patron of Teratak Kasih Tok Nan, Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Hajjah Jamilah Anu; Chairman of Malaysian AIDS Foundation, Yang Berbahagia Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman; Chairman of Malaysian AIDS Foundation and Mr. Hamish Watts, General Manager of Hilton Kuching.

(Left to Right) – Representative from Yayasan Sarawak, Yang Berbahagia Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman; Chairman of Malaysian AIDS Foundation, Patron of Teratak Kasih Tok Nan; Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Hajjah Jamilah Anu, Yang Berhomat Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports who represented Chief Minister of Sarawak, Hamish Watts; General Manager Hilton Kuching and representative of San Chin-BBC JV Sdn. Bhd.

100 percent of all proceeds raised from table sales during the Charity Gala and an array of Hilton Hotel & Resorts staycation auction was contributed to Malaysian AIDS Foundation Teratak Kasih Tok Nan centre. The centre established by Malaysian AIDS Foundation, is a corporate social responsibility partner of Hilton Kuching, for underprivileged patients from rural Sarawak and is a halfway home or free lodging facility for patients who are in need of a place to stay when seeking treatment at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) in Kuching.

“Teratak Kasih Tok Nan the labour of love of YB Datuk Amar Datin Patinggi Hajah Jamilah Anu, the wife of Pehin Sri Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Haji Adenan Satem stems from her compassion for the cause and dedication to help underprivileged community members impacted by HIV in Sarawak drove her to lead a very successful fundraising campaign for MAF till today. We could have never reached this result without the support of all our partners and all our gracious donors,” said Malaysian AIDS Foundation Executive Director, Jasmin Jalil.

Run by the Sarawak AIDS Concern Society (SACS), a partner organisation of the Malaysian AIDS Council the centre offers community-based HIV testing, counselling, treatment literacy, and legal and welfare service referrals, in addition to providing life skills training and other social reintegration support to its beneficiaries.

“Hilton Kuching regards itself as a longstanding partner in the development of Sarawak. Our hotel and the city of Kuching grew together for the past three decades. We are very proud to have hosted many landmark state events and provided quintessential Sarawakian hospitality to guests from all over the world and we are looking forward to hosting more in years to come,” said Hamish Watts, General Manager of Hilton Kuching about the anniversary.

He further said, Hilton Kuching sees this partnership; working in tandem with Malaysian AIDS Foundation as we benefit equally from our work together in the community.

“Collaborating with Malaysian AIDS Foundation was an easy decision as we have had a long history since 2011, when we hosted World AIDS Day Celebration and special stage presentation where People Living with HIV shared their stories with a local audience. It was unprecedented and was truly an eye-opening event that helped to demystify the disease and raise awareness about stigma and discrimination,” added Hamish.

Yang Berhomat Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports who represented Chief Minister of Sarawak, Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Patinggi Dr Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg during his speech he commented and congratulated Hilton Kuching on its 30^th anniversary and commented, “Hilton Kuching is an icon of Sarawakian tourism industry symbolizing the move towards progress and the emergence of modern Sarawak.

Yang Berhomat Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah added, Hilton Kuching has served the city well – providing a reliable, trustworthy and comfortable home for our visitors from near and far. It is truly humbling to see that Hilton Kuching has decided to dedicate its 30th Anniversary Gala to help the Malaysian AIDS Foundation in its pursuit to improve the quality of lives for People Living with HIV. The proceeds will go to the necessary up keep and will be channeled to support the Teratak Kasih Tok Nan, a charity project that has been a personal endeavour of YB Datuk Amar Hajah Jamilah Anu.

Hamish Watts; General Manager Hilton Kuching receives a token of appreciation from Yang Berbahagia Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman; Chairman of Malaysian AIDS Foundation at the Hilton Kuching 30th Anniversary Gala for Malaysian AIDS Foundation. Looking on is Yang Berhomat Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports who represented Chief Minister of Sarawak.

The gala features entertainment by Sarawak-born songbird Dayang Nurfaizah, arguably the nation’s best R&B singer, and accompanying performance by local favourite Bob Yusof. Joanne Kam, Malaysia’s undisputed Queen of Comedy, also made a special appearance to entertain guests with her signature stand-up routine. Her distinct style of acid tongue humor has earned her the reputation of being one of the most notoriously funny ladies in the Malaysian comedy scene.

Apart from that, guests were also treated to a sumptuous multi-course dinner presentation that captures the best of the hotel’s 30 years of culinary history, faithfully created by its executive chef Alex Wong.

All purchases are entitled to tax exemption receipt by the Malaysian AIDS Foundation.

[ENDS]

Hilton Kuching
Overlooking the Sarawak River, with captivating views over the city. 25-minutes from Kuching International Airport by car and within walking distance to many popular attractions. Relax in any of the 315 spacious guest room, suite or executive room with spectacular views. Unwind after a busy day by working out in the fitness center or by swimming laps in the sparkling outdoor pool. Dine in one of five tempting restaurants.

Malaysian AIDS Foundation
The Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) was formed in 1993 to raise and administer funds to support the activities and programmes of the Malaysian AIDS Council and its Partner Organisations. MAF funds high-impact HIV prevention, treatment, care and support programmes such as harm reduction, shelter homes, financial and medical assistance schemes as well as HIV health literacy and empowerment activities for underprivileged women and children living with HIV and other key populations nationwide. Learn more at http://maf.org.my/V2/.

Contact

Meera Abi | 016-414 6400 | meera@mac.org.my

Azahemy Abdullah | 016 – 646 5874 | azahemy@mac.org.my

Kiranjeet Kaur | 012-680 2377 | Kiranjeet.kaur@hilton.com

Nicholas Stephenson | 017-378 0871 | Nicholas.stephenson@hilton.com