THE PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA LAUNCED YAYASAN ARTIS 1MALAYSIA ON 11/11/12 WITH AN ENDOWMENT OF RM 2 MILLION!
This will increase to RM 3 million next year! Wow! Thank you, Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for remembering and caring for the plight of the oldie but goodie artistes of yesteryears!
Accompanied by Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, the Prime Minister also brought his handsome son Ashman who wore a cool batek shirt and speaks perfect Mandarin which made me blush as I could not answer properly when he chatted with me in Mandarin! Ashman Najib certainly looks handsome and dishy enough to be an actor and movie star!
The Prime Minister wore an open neck shirt with no tie as he was obviously prepared for a casual, fun and enjoyable night among the artistes.
A surprise was in store for him as he went on stage. The emcee asked everyone to stand and as if in unison as we were unprepared for this, we were asked to declare we all stood for the 1Malaysia concept. We raised our hands and roared our declaration and approval and almost brought the roof down. The Prime Minister was visibly moved and appeared very touched by this spontaneous show of the rakyat love and appreciation for all he has done and more to come!
In his opening remarks, he said, "Tonight is a meaningful event long overdue and long awaited by our artistes. If in Europe, 11/11 is celebrated as a remembrance day to honour the fallen heroes of World War 2, here in Malaysia 11/11 will be remembered as a day to honour our artistes!
"Tonight I see around a thousand artistes, from actors, musicians, composers, lyricists, directors, producers, film editors and from all sectors and races of Malaysia.
"Those who are not involved in the movie industry may think it is full of glamour. Artistes are considered icons . What they wear are emulated and their photos can be very influential as many admire their style.
"But only a few realise this artistic community actually can lead a normal life, full of ups and downs and have the same problems like everyone else. These problems can be serious if these artistes are old and ailing. Financial and health problems can be very stressful in their twilight years if they are not well prepared. Like all, these popular artistes grow old and become senior citizens. They have to realise they must prepare the umbrella before it rains. If not, it is too late.
"In the Malaysian film industry, so far there has not been a concerted effort to look after the welfare of the senior artistes, some of who are here in wheelchairs. They need our help for giving us such good movies when they were young and glamorous.
"An example is the late and great Tan Sri P.Ramlee. In his later years when he was old, he was suffering financially. He did not leave his wife properties or wealth but perhaps even debts. If this can happen to Tan Sri P.Ramlee, our greatest actor, director, producer, scriptwriter, musician and singer, it can surely happen to others. Others too suffer the same fate. I am not going to name names but one comes to mind---Datuk Mohd Jais Ahmad who passed away last year.
"As Malaysia prospers, no group must be left behind. When artistes were young and popular, it was easier for them to make decent money but even so, they have to spend a lot on appearances. If a singer, she needs nice clothes and shoes which should be of a certain standard. These can be very costly and though they may earn well, it may not be enough.
"I understand the returns are not very high for the entertainment industry and we need to examine the structure properly as even royalties are low. I will ask Rais Yatim and experts to rectify this and discuss further. The Government is open to discussions.
"If you give a fish to someone, he can eat for a day. But if you teach him how to fish, he can eat for a lifetime! Tonight, we are not just giving fish but also fishing nets, rods and hooks!
"I also wish to examine the possibility of an insurance scheme as few artistes have EPF. This is important so if they fall ill in real life and not in movies, their medical and hospital bills can be paid. They don't have to beg!
"On behalf of the Malaysian Government, I am giving Yayasan Seni 1Malaysia RM 2 million for this year and RM 3 million for next year.
"We love watching movies with happy endings, right? It is the same for us at UMNO and Barisan! If you like the present Government, so make sure we all have a happy ending!
"I now launch Yayasan Artis 1Malaysia!
"If Rais Yatim said earlier he is half a coconut without me, then now we are a complete coconut---but I just hope we have substance inside!"
The Prime Minister received a wild ovation and there were tears of joy from veteran stars. More so as the PM made his speech without reading from a prepared text nor referred to any notes as he obviously spoke from the heart and with sincerity!
We were all so moved by his compassion!
Later he and Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and movers and shakers of YA1M came in front of the stage to give cheques to veteran stars as some were in wheelchairs and could not go on stage.
THANK YOU, PRIME MINISTER FOR SHOWING YOU CARE FOR ALL MALAYSIANS!
The arrival of the Prime Minister was preceded by marching Scottish band
The PM waiting for his wife
Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor being greeted by Datin Maznah
The PM was a such a gentleman
All seated
Datuk Irwan Shah aka DJ Dave sat next to PM
Ashman, the PM's handsome son at left
Datuk Irwan Shah aka Datuk DJ Dave making his welcome speech
The grand stage
Dato Seri Utama Rais Yatim making his speech
T
The Prime Minister chatting with guests enroute to the stage
Datuk DJ Dave taking the lead in declaring all were for 1Malaysia!
The PM was visibly moved by the spontaneous outpouring of emotions
Viva PM! Viva Barisan!
All for one, One for All!
The Prime Minister was touched by the adoring crowd
All ready for the PM's speech
The PM was in full support of YA1M
The PM spoke from the heart and did not refer to any notes
We hung on to his every word
The launching of YA1M was simple as the balloons covering the screen were removed
All ready for the launch
Turning to the backdrop
All claps for the launch
Congrats and thank yous all round
More handshakes with the boss
DJ Dave telling the PM to wait...
As a token of appreciation is brought out
A gift for the PM
A framed CD with the portrait of the PM and Datin Seri Rosmah! So sweet!
YA1M for all Malaysians!
Also a similar gift to Minister of Information, Communications and Culture Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim
Thank you PM and Minister!
The Minister having a closer look at his framed gift as PM leaves
Back to the VIP Table
Dato A.Rahman Hassan coming to say hello
Paying respects to First Lady
Now for the cheque presentation
The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak saw my sequinned pants and said, "God, look at your trousers" while First Lady Datin Seri Rosmah Dato Mansor smiled and commented "Tengok cincin dia" (Look at his rings). So I showed my 3 humungous rings to the Prime Minister who stopped to gasp and laugh
Datuk Irwan Shah president of Yayasan Artis 1Malaysia, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak all set to present cheques to veteran stars of yesteryears
The MInister of Information, Communications and Culture standing next to DJ Dave
First recipient was Indian singer P. Saravani
P. Saravani getting cheque from First Lady
Producer actor Mat Sentul receiving cheque from Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor
Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor asked Mat Sentul his age and when he hesitated, she quipped, " Dah lupa?" (Have you forgotten?)
Phua Chee Kian receiving cheque from Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor
Phua Chee Kian thanking Minister of Information, Communications and Culture Dato Seri Utama Rais Yatim
Dato M. Nasir passing cheque to Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor
So grateful to PM
Another worthy recipient
M.Y Samsuddin on wheelchair receiving his cheque
M.Y Samsuddin receiving cheque from Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor from his wheelchair
The VIPs looked so concerned
Another worthy recipient
Datin Seri Rosmah leaning forward for a chat
Veteran star thanking Datin Seri Rosmah for her concern about his welfare
Last cheque
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