Lion dancers greeting Dr Ling (left) upon his arrival at the event.
A SUM of RM3,911,853 was raised at a charity dinner and concert to benefit UTAR Hospital in Kampar, Perak.
The fundraising, part of UTAR Hospital’s final push to garner donations for its development fund, was in part made possible by the Tiger Sin Chew Chinese Education Charity Concert (TSCCECC) programme.
Over 64 tables were sold and more than 1,000 guests attended the event, which took place at HGH Convention Centre in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.
(From left) Wu, Yee Yee, Lee, Z Yan, Chiang and Jyin performing on stage.
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) president and chief executive officer Prof Datuk Dr Ewe Hong Tat said the money collected from the fundraiser would go towards the hospital’s development.
“Since construction work began in 2018, we had set a target of collecting RM330mil.
“To date, we have reached the RM300mil mark.
Special welcome - Guests greeting the arrival of Dr. Ling (seated in wheelchair) and flanked by Heng at the concert. - Photos: CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
“The funds will allow us to provide additional services such as establishing the specialist centre for orthopaedics, internal medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology.
“The help of philanthropists, charitable societies and generous donors from the community over the years has allowed the hospital to begin operations,” said Prof Ewe.
Freddie and the Catz performing during charity dinner show in benefit of UTAR Hospital at the HGH Convention Centre. - Photos: CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
A non-profit entity, UTAR Hospital offers western as well as traditional and complementary medicine.
Among those who had contributed was the event venue, HGH Convention Centre.
The centre’s management committee chairman Datuk Eddie Heng said that they had agreed to provide the venue, food and special effects such as stage lighting.
At the fundraiser were (from left) UTAR council members Datuk Lim Si Cheng and Hew Fen Yee, Prof Ewe, Prof Chuah, UTAR Institute of Chinese Studies dean Assoc Prof Dr Chong Siou Wei, Dr Ling, Roland, Koo Cheng and Heng. — Photos: CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
He estimated that the package was worth over RM120,000.
“We agreed to this because we saw it as a worthy cause.
“It is a non-profit hospital which charges nominal fees but offers quality care.
“When one is sick, every minute is torture and every second feels like a struggle for survival.
“If we can play a part to provide relief to the sick, then why not?” said Heng.
The TSCCECC is part of Heineken Malaysia Bhd’s social impact programme.
Yee Yee captivating her audience.
Since its inception in 1994, it has raised more than RM390mil for 538 schools.
This is the first year the social impact programme has extended its support to a hospital.
Heineken Malaysia managing director Roland Bala said the programme’s sustainability was fuelled by the Chinese community’s commitment to education.
“In life, there are two things that can make a difference.
“One is a deep sense of values. Another is good education.
“This is why the Chinese community has achieved so much progress.
“No matter their financial background they will never stinge on, much less forgo education for their children,” said Roland.
Expressing her delight at the donors’ generous contributions was the brewer’s marketing director Willemijn Sneep.
“Our initial target was RM3mil but the total collected exceeds our expectations,” she said.
For the opening act, dancers, clad in silver sequined bodysuits took to the stage.
This was followed by artists Wu Jia Hui, Yee Yee, Victor Lee, Z Yan, Zac Chi Chiang and Jyin.
Making special appearances were guest singer Chris Cheong, who won the Astro 2020 Classic Golden Melody Singing Competition, and Malaysian Chinese music group Freddie and The Catz.
Attending the event as guests of honour were UTAR chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and wife Toh Puan Ena Ling.
Also present were UTAR Hospital board chairman Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dr Chuah Hean Teik and Sin Chew Media Corporation Bhd executive director Koo Cheng.
