IDEAS 12th Anniversary and Fundraising Dinner – Malaysia: Moving Forward Together

The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) marked its 12th anniversary with a fundraising dinner celebration themed “Malaysia: Moving Forward Together” at the InterContinental Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

It saw the attendance of 150 distinguished guests, including High Commissioners and Ambassadors, funders, corporate partners and sponsors. We also had the privilege of having Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz, Former Minister of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Malaysia, as our Keynote Address speaker and special guest, Prof Dr Muhammad Haji Salleh, a Malaysian National Laureate and renowned writer which ended the evening in a positive and patriotic note with two Deklamasi Sajak or poem recitals titled “Negaraku” and “Merdeka itu Bebas”.

Notes to download:

1. Welcoming Remarks by YAM Tunku Zain Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz
2. Presentation Notes by Tricia Yeoh
3. Keynote Speech by Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz
4. The Poem/Sajak by Prof Dr Muhammad Haji Salleh

Photo Gallery

Our guests were treated to a culinary banquet complemented with vibrant performances by the Astra Malaysia band, who sang popular Malaysian favourites and western numbers.

This event is our yearly flagship celebration to raise unlimited funds for our non-profit advocacy work. Donations and grants are how we stay a non-profit independent research institute.

We want to thank all of our sponsors and partners for their support. Our most enormous gratitude goes out to them, as without their support, this dinner would not have been possible.

• Premium sponsors:
• 1. Allianz
  2. Dialog Plant Services Sdn Bhd
  3. Hartalega
  4. Jeffrey Cheah Foundation
  5. Kian Joo Can Factory Berhad
  6. Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLK)
  7. M&C Saatchi (M) Sdn Bhd
  8. Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF)
  9. Wong & Partners
  10. YTL Corporation Berhad.

• Gold sponsors
• 1. GFM Solutions Sdn Bhd
  2. Google

• Silver sponsors
• 1. Chooi & Company + Cheang & Ariff
  2. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Associates Sdn Bhd.

We raised approximately RM100,000 from our sponsorship packages and individual ticket sales! It is from these contributions and support that help us continue providing cutting-edge research and pushing for policy change to build a better Malaysia for all. We look forward to seeing all of our partners and welcoming new partners to be part of the IDEAS family next year.

Keynote Speaker

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz was a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Selayang Constituency and Kuala Kangsar Constituency. She is also Malaysia’s longest-serving Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Malaysia and has held previous positions as Minister of Public Enterprises, Deputy Minister of Finance and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Public Enterprises. 

Known for still holding various positions to this day and age such as; Advisor to Sarawak Govt on RECODA (Renewable Energy Corridor), Adjunct Professor at the Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business (UUM), Chancellor of The Meritus University, and Senior Independent Non-Executive Chairman and Independent Non-Executive Director at AirAsia X Berhad, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz will undoubtedly welcome the evening with an atmosphere of international experience and wisdom.

Special Performance

Prof Dr Muhammad Salleh

Prof Dr Muhammad bin Haji Salleh is one of Malaysia’s prominent writers who was awarded the title of National Writer in 1991. He also won the Southeast Asian (S.E.A.) Writer’s Award in the year 1997. In 2008, he was named Tokoh Akademik Negara.

He was once the President of the Malaysian Translators Association from 1978 to 1982 and translated a lot of Malay poetry into English. He is also a member of the board of editors of Tenggara journal of Southeast Asian literature, a member of the Board of Directors for Lembaga Pengelola Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, and a member of Sasterawan Negara Malaysia.

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