The great efforts from Econsave and Sin Chew Daily in organising a charity fund-raising event to raise funds for UTAR Hospital Project were indeed fruitful, as the total amount raised was RM2,430,729.86. The fund-raising started from 22 September to 31 December 2021.

Prior to the “Econsave and Sin Chew Daily Charity Show” (Econsave星洲华教义演), two press conferences were organised to promote the charity show which successfully garnered positive public reactions. The first press conference was a virtual press conference jointly organised by UTAR, Econsave and Sin Chew Daily on 22 September 2021 via Zoom. The virtual press conference was supported by Guang Ming Daily and led by UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Sin Chew Media Corporation Bhd Executive Director-cum-Sin Chew Daily Media Chinese International Ltd Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Koo Cheng, and Econsave North Division 2 General Manager Chua Yong Chiang. In the virtual press conference, Koo also highlighted that UTAR was their first university partner for this initiative, and the initial targeted amount to raise was RM1,000,000.

Present in support of the virtual conference also included Sin Chew Media Corporation Bhd Communications and Promotion General Manager Tan Kim Chuan, Perak Sin Chew Media Corporation Bhd Business Manager Foong Ching Mean, Penang Guang Ming Daily Deputy General Manager Ng Hee Kuang, UTAR Council Member Hew Fen Yee, UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) Dean Emeritus Prof Dr Cheong Soon Keng and UTAR Hospital Project Chief Administrative Officer Chor Choy Yook.

The second press conference was the physical press conference jointly organised by Econsave and Sin Chew Daily, on 16 November 2021 at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, UTAR Kampar Campus. It was supported by Guang Ming Daily and led by Prof Ewe, Tan, Chua, Ng, Hew and Malaysian Artist Chan Ai Chia (曾爱佳). Also present at the press conference were Prof Choong, Foong, Penang Guang Ming Daily Deputy Manager of Business Promotion Hor Yong Wei, journalists, UTAR staff and helpers from Sin Chew Daily, Econsave and Guang Ming Daily.

The highlight of the fund-raising effort was the “Econsave and Sin Chew Daily Charity Show” (Econsave星洲华教义演), jointly organised by Econsave, Sin Chew Daily, Guang Ming Daily and UTAR on 4 December 2021 at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik. The event saw the participation of over 300 participants and it was held with strict adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Invited to officiate the opening ceremony was guest of honour-cum-Deputy Minister of Education I, Ministry of Education Malaysia Senator Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon representing Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong. Also present were UTAR Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Penang Dr Lu Shiwei, UTAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Sak Cheng Lum, UTAR Council Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Ting Chew Peh, UTAR Hospital Board Chairman Ir Academician Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik, Econsave Cash & Carry Sdn Bhd General Manager Chua Yong Chiang, Sin Chew Executive Director-cum-Sin Chew Daily of Media Chinese International Ltd Chief Executive Officer Koo Cheng, Guang Ming Daily Sdn Bhd General Manager Cheah Chin Wah, UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat; Distinguished Members of UTAR Education Foundation, board of trustees, UTAR council, and UTAR Hospital board; representatives of Econsave, Sin Chew Daily and Guang Ming Daily; distinguished donors, UTAR staff and members of the public.

At the time of the charity show, the amount raised was RM1,666,888.00, which was highlighted in Prof Ewe’s speech. Apart from Prof Ewe, Dato’ Mah, Chua and Koo also delivered enlightening speeches that emphasised the benefit and importance of the UTAR Hospital Project. They also encouraged the public to support and donate to UTAR Hospital.

An array of activities were conducted at the charity show, including the donation of 50 pieces of calligraphy paintings by Master Chi Chern (继程法师) from Taiping for auction to collect funds for UTAR Hospital; the Lighting, Drum and Gong Ceremony by all distinguished donors; and singing performance by Tan Sri Sak and his friends Chow Kam Leong and Choong Cheong Vong, the CVS Trio. The most anticipated moment of the show was the performance of Chan Ai Chia (曾爱佳), who is well-known as Malaysia’s Teresa Teng, and guest performer Seah Kok Boon (谢国文), who is also known as Malaysia’s Fei Yu-ching. The performances were also broadcasted on YouTube channels and Facebook pages of Sin Chew Daily, Guang Ming Daily and UTAR on 12 December 2021, from 3.00pm to 5.00pm.

UTAR Hospital is a non-profit hospital that will not only provide medical and health services to the community but also provide practical training for the University’s medical students in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. The establishment of UTAR Hospital will also benefit Kampar and the surrounding communities with increased socio-economic activities and better access to quality medical services.

For more information on UTAR Hospital and donations to the hospital, please go to the following website: https://hospital.utar.edu.my/.