KEE@FSWMAG.COM
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF MALAYSIA GRACIOUSLY PRESENTED RM 122,400 TO 9 CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM SERIOUS DISEASES AS PART OF SHANGRI-LA'S SOCIAL COMMITMENT AND GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY PROGRAMME. OTHERS RECEIVED DUIT RAYA AND COOKIES.
Her Majesty being presented with a floral bouquet by Rosemarie Wee, Area Director of Communications as Herbert Laubichler-Pichler looked on.
Happy smiles all round
Happy smiles here too!
Her Majesty the Queen of Malaysia smiled at me!
Rosemarie Wee making sureHer Majesty the Queen of Malaysia is seated comfortably.
The yellow roses and table setting were reserved for royalty
The Queen of Malaysia did not even bother to sit as she asked for the cheques to be presented to the parents of the ill children
THE QUEEN ALSO BROKE FAST WITH 58 PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY IMPAIRED CHILDREN FROM TASPUTRA PERKIM AND RUMAH KANAK KANAK CACAT TAMAN MEGAH.
CLAD IN SOBER BLACK IN HONOUR OF THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN, HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF MALAYSIA WAS A VISION OF GRACE, COMPASSION AND KINDNESS AS SHE ARRIVED IN THE LOWER LOBBY OF SHANGRI-LA AND WAS PRESENTED A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS BY ROSEMARIE WEE, AREA DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND HERBERT LAUBICHLER-PICHLER THE GENERAL MANAGER OF SHANGRI-LA KUALA LUMPUR.
The cheque presented to Nur Hidaya from Butterworth
Tham Mun Choon of Taman Megah Handicapped and Disbaled Children's Home, Hajjah Elahe Norman of Tasputra Perkim, Mrs Rosemarie Wee of Shangri-la and Mr Herbert Laubichler-Pichler
At my table
The GM giving a token of appreciation to the Queen of Malaysia
Rosemarie Wee presenting a gift to Her Majesty
One of the charity staff members
The guests
Enjoying the feast
Dafi of Shangri-La
Kee Hua Chee and his new friend Shanti
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Her Majesty the Queen arrived around 6.30 pm and was escorted to the Grand Ballroom where she was officially welcomed by the children and staff from the two charities. Many of the kids ma not be aware of her royal status and who she was since they were mentally impaired but it did not matter. The sight of Tuanku Nur Zahirah brought smiles to their faces and vice versa! The kids were also physically challenged but I think there is nothing wrong in referring to them as retarded or handicapped although these words are apparently banned in politically correct Europe and USA. But this is like calling toilet cleaners 'sanitary engineers' and bombing as 'aerial support'! Or being killed in 'friendly fire' as I am sure all prefer to live amid 'enemy fire'!
Some of these children even 'sembah' to the Queen of Malaysia which made a touching sight and must have warmed Her Majesty's heart. While some managed to 'sembah' or shake her hand, a few failed in their attempts. The look of frustration on the kids' faces almost made us cry as we knew how hard they must have practised only to be let down at the last minute due to their motor malfunction.
This young man succeeded in shaking the hand of the Queen of Malaysia who reciprocated with a big smile!
But it did not matter one hoot as Her Majesty smiled and spoke to everyone. There was no protocol as Tuanku Nur Zahirah smiled and cheered every child, patting their head, stroking theur cheek and occasionally bending down to hold the fingers of those in wheelchair and unable to move. I am sure the Queen must definitely removed, however fleeting, the fogginess that clouded their minds.
We Malaysians are so lucky to have DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah as our Queen as she is always so generous-hearted and happy to support worthy causes. It also helped that Rosemarie Wee is a friend of Her Majesty!
ROYAL TREAT FOR CHILDREN
AT SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR
Known as the ‘Hotel with a Heart’ for the past 26 years, Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur once again embarked on its annual Gift of Life Charity Project buka puasa charity dinner graced by Her Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah at the Hotel’s Sarawak Room on 22 August 2011.
The Gift of Life Charity Project was initiated by Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur when the Hotel first opened in 1985. This annual charity gives financial aid to children suffering from severe ailments like congenital heart disease, hole-in-the-heart and other medical complications so they are able to undergo life-saving operations and post-operative treatments.
The spirit of caring, giving and sharing benefited nine recipients in need of funds to undergo surgery and artificial limbs. As Buka Puasa was still 40 minutes away, Tuanku Nur Zahirah consented to the cheque presentation almost immediately.
Her Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah had barely sat for 10 minutes before she went on stage with Herbert Laubichler-Pichler, hotel manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur and Rosemarie Wee to distribute RM122,400 in donations collected from the Hotel’s 2010 Gift of Life Christmas Charity Tree fundraising campaign, when kind-hearted Malaysians and hotel guests paid RM 1,000 each to purchase a Gingerbread House to form a giant Christmas tree in the hotel’s Lobby Lounge.
Only in Malaysia can we enjoy a situation where money collected at Christmas was disbursed during the Hari Raya season! Truly 1-Malaysia!
The food was superb and even included pricey scallops. I have attended similar hotel events but sadly the quality of the food was low since management probably assumed charity kids would not know the difference. Shangri-La of course does not see any difference between full-paying diners and charity cases! After all, most consider Shangri-La to be the best hotel in Malaysia and this simply proves it!
The 9 recipients who received cash cheques;
Nurul Najwa Adnan, 20–month old from Georgetown, Penang suffers from Ventricular Septal Defect. Her aortic valve is leaking and she needs to undergo Ventricular Septal Defect closure surgery, in which the cost is estimated at RM35,000. The amount donated to her by the hotel was RM 15,000.
Ahmad Dhani Aryan bin Muhammad Syukri who is suffering from pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum, requires 2 surgeries in which the cost is estimated at RM47,000. Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur donated RM20,000 to Ahmad.
Chloe Lim Zi Xuan from Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, is only 8 months old and she is suffering from Ventricular Septal Defect. She will need to undergo VSD closure surgery in order to avoid further damage to her heart. Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur donated RM15,000 to Chloe.
Nur Aleesya Qistina binti Mahazir, a 2-year-old from Seberang Jaya, Prai is suffering from Ventricular Septal Defect as well. She needs to undergo corrective surgery to repair the defect and her aortic valve. Cost of the treatment is RM 38,000. Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur donated RM 20,000 to her.
Nur Hidaya binti Jamaluddin, hails from Kampung Siam, Butterworth. She is also diagnosed with Ventricular Septal Defect. As a result, the right side of her heart and lungs are weakened. The surgery costs RM 50,000. She received a donation of RM 15,000 from Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
Muhammad Syalqi bin Mohd. Shikri is a 15-year-old who hails from Simpang Ampat, Perlis. He was involved in a motorcycle accident in April 2011. He survives the accident with the cost of his lower leg. Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur helped Muhamad Syalqi by donating a prosthetic limb costing RM6,800.
Nagandra Raw A/L Bengarajah is a 16-year-old from Sungai Sumun, Perak who survived a tragic accident on July 2007. He however lost his right leg in the accident. Nagandra requires a prosthetic limb which costs RM7,800 in which Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur donated.
Ku Nor Azliana binti Ku Mohd. Syaiful Adli from Simpang Ampat, Perlis is 5 years old and has a congenitally-deformed leg above knee. She requires a set of knee prosthesis which costs RM7,800, in which Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur have donated to her.
Chai Ming Zhe, is from Senai, Johore. She is 2 years and 7 months old. She is suffering from hole-in-the-heart and a blocked vessel to her lungs. This medical condition can potentially impair her quality and duration of life. The surgery costs RM42,000. Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur contributed RM15,000 to her.
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