RM250,000 raised for Malim Gunung
Published on: Wednesday, July 01, 2015
Kuala Lumpur: Support for the Malim Gunung (mountain guides) who led or carried over 100 stranded climbers on Mount Kinabalu to safety when the earthquake struck on June 5, has also touched the hearts of folks in the nation's capital.More than RM250,000 – the largest yet – was raised at the Panggilan Kinabalu Charity Concert dubbed Tribute To The Heroes Of Mt Kinabalu. It was in aid of the guides, porters and their families since there will be no income for them until the mountain is reopened in September.ADVERTISEMENT It was jointly organised by the Rotary Club of Bukit Bintang and Rotary Club of Bandar Utama with the Chairman of AmBank Group, Tan Sri Dato' Azman Hashim as prime mover, and Eddie Heng as the venue sponsor (Galaxy Banquet Hall, Jalan Sentul, KL).Deputy Education Minister 1, Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching, who officiated at the event, said: "I am deeply touched by such kindness shown to the affected Sabahans. It is a celebration of love and humanity at its best."She thanked the Joint Organising Chairmen, Yap Fatt Lam (Past President of Rotary Club of Bukit Bintang) and Ong Hock Siew (President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Bandar Utama) for organising such a meaningful concert within a week of the press conference."On behalf of Sabah, especially the mountain guides, I thank both Rotary Clubs for their tender loving care. My most profound appreciation to the club leaders for taking this wonderful initiative to help the guides and porters of Kinabalu surmount this extremely trying period of social and economic dislocation.ADVERTISEMENT "Words cannot describe how grateful we are to the members and the civic-conscious public in KL for supporting a noble cause."Yap, who is Member of Parliament for Tawau, acknowledged the supportive role and commitment of Azman hailed as a philanthropist, and a number of other big-hearted donors like venue owner Heng and Dato' Peter Ng.
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Azman reportedly had KDM staff (working in Ambank Kota Kinabalu) as his background dancers when he serenaded the capacity crowd with his rendition of the evergreen hit Tinggi Tinggi Gunung Kinabalu, dedicated to the mountain guides.Together, Fatt Lam and Ong have scaled Mt Kinabalu five times while Ong's personal feat was a record 61 times. Also present was Rotary International District 3300 Governor, Kirenjit Kaur.In saluting the organisers, Yap said they have quietly worked behind the scenes without need for acclaim or recognition to make the event a success."Syabas to the organisers and may your efforts be rewarded in the knowledge that you have blessed these Heroes of Kinabalu in a special way that cannot be measured by mere effort alone. It is 'your heart' that has shone forth, strong and bright tonight."I hope many more will emulate your fantastic efforts to reach out as Malaysians to our fellow brothers and sisters in Sabah and to help them stand tall and proud again," she said.Welcoming the presence of 10 mountain guides from Sabah, Yap said: "This function also seeks to celebrate the Heroes of Mount Kinabalu who are my fellow Sabahans from the beautiful State of Sabah known as the Land Below The Wind'."In the aftermath of the great tragedy on June 5, the most affected group is sadly the same people who wear the tag, 'The Heroes of Kinabalu'. Many of them are now facing economic ruin and my heart grieves for those whose bravery and commitment to their climbers are nothing short of being remarkable." Among the guides was 25-year-old Rizuan Kauhinin who carried a Singapore Tanjong Katong Primary School student on his back.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Since Mt Kinabalu has now become an Earthquake-risk zone, a far cry from being an Earthquake-free zone of yesteryear, Yap said all future climbers will now need to be more cautious in their approach to climbing this great mountain.At the behest of the organisers, six of the guides reflected on the earthquake incident. "It was so touching that the appreciative audience saluted their courage by giving them a standing ovation," she said.