Raja Zarith Sofiah admiring various local crafts after officiating the AGM. With her are Sarawak’s Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah (to Her Majesty’s left) and Sarawak GGAM patron Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi (second row, left). — Bernama
THE HIGHEST guiding award – The Queen’s Guide Award – has been presented to 66 members of the Girl Guides Association Malaysia (GGAM).
The awards were presented during the association’s 56th annual general meeting (AGM) in Kuching, Sarawak.
The four-day event, held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, also included the presentation of the Bintang Kehormatan and Srikandi awards.
The Bintang Kehormatan award recipients were Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
Leading the Srikandi award recipients were Terengganu GGAM president Tengku Datin Seri Ramlah Azizah Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah and wife of Sarawak Deputy Premier and Sarawak GGAM president Datuk Dayang Morliah Awang Daud.
Raja Zarith Sofiah (left) presenting the Bintang Kehormatan award to Fadhlina.
Named after the Malay word for female warrior, the Srikandi award was also presented to Sabah GGAM former and current presidents Datuk Kim Chan nee Lee Kim Yeok and Mildred Rita Leong, respectively.
The Queen’s Guide Awards was presented by GGAM president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
The Bintang Kehormatan and Srikandi awards were presented by GGAM royal patron Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia.
In her opening speech, Raja Zarith Sofiah said the world was changing rapidly and encouraged innovation, and creativity, especially among the younger generation.
Her Majesty said she was proud of the GGAM as it had continued to bring about positive developments towards a holistic and global society.
Her Majesty also spoke of how the success of an organisation depends on a dynamic administrative team, commitment of its members and the role of the AGM as a platform for reaching beneficial decisions.
One of the Srikandi awards presented by the Queen (left) to Dayang Morliah. Looking on is Dr Wan Azizah (seated, left).
“Thank you to each one of you who have contributed, helping so many girls build confidence and leadership qualities.
“Let us educate today’s girls to be tomorrow’s leaders,’ said Her Majesty.
Dr Wan Azizah said she was confident of the GGAM as it still takes an active role in empowering its members despite having been set up 108 years ago.
“It is my hope that the entire line of newly-appointed leaders in this assembly will bring out the very best qualities from GGAM towards creating a harmonious and prosperous Malaysian society,” she said.
The conference also saw GGAM members visit local attractions such as the Borneo Cultural Museum and the Center For Technology Excellence Sarawak to foster further dialogue, and cultural exchanges.
