Inaugural Imsha

Congratulations!

(2nd from left) Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Irda chief executive officer Datuk Ismail Ibrahim at the inaugural Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards ceremony. Pic by Norbaiti Phaharoradzi

to the 22 NGOs and individuals 

In the Johor Streets today

THE Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation (Jaro) has received the Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Iskandar Malaysia Ultimate Social Hero Award.

JARO committee member Datin Patricia Lim received the award from former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the inaugural Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards (Imsha) ceremony.

Abdullah, who is the patron of Imsha, said the nation was full of unsung heroes.

“When I launched the South Johor Economic Region (now known as Iskandar Malaysia) in November 2006, I had envisioned that it would grow economically with community involvement,” he said.

“Eight years down the road, Iskandar Malaysia is a global economic player that has made the well-being of the local community a priority.”

He said Imsha had brought the government and the private sector together in a move which involved the community in a sharing of minds and responsibilities.

“Development should not rest only on the shoulders of the leaders but everyone,” Abdullah said, adding that there was much to learn from the community.

He called for friendship among all Malaysians, and for the need to set aside their differences and come together with the same objective of community and nation-building.

Also present at the event at Le Grandeur Palm Resort, here, were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Iskandar Regional Development Authority chief
 executive Datuk Ismail Ibrahim.

The objective of the inaugural event is to recognise and honour heroes in the local community.

Twenty-two non-governmental organisations and individuals were also honoured for their contributions to the economy.

The NGOs were Jaro, Johor Society For The Performing Arts (JSPA), Homeless and Orphan Pets Exist (Hope), Mercy Malaysia, Grace Covenant Community Care, Save Our Seahorses, Johor Cerebral Palsy Association, Kechara Soup Kitchen Society, Taman Molek Resident Association, Dynasty View Sdn Bhd and Johor Baru Happy and Joyous Club

The individuals were Suzie Yap of JSPA, Joseph Chia of Companion Animal Rescue Effort Society, Yong Yun Pin of Persatuan Xing Jun, Ellen Chandra of Education Advancement, Serina Rahman of Kelab Alami, Harjeet Sandhu of Alzheimers Support Group, Leekha Nandy of Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Dr T. Sivakumar, Woo Soo Pheng, Zack Joho and Ahmad Muhi Johari.

About 170 nominations were received.

As the top prize winner, Jaro will get to send a representative to Frost & Sullivan for training to run a social enterprise. The other winners are entitled to use the Imsha award for marketing and promotional purposes.

The main sponsors of Imsha are Medini Iskandar Malaysia Bhd, Iskandar Investment Bhd and Dynasty View Bhd of UM Land Bhd.