Stars and dinner raise AIDS awareness, funds
By James Kon

Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny (left), Pehin Orang Kaya Putera Maharaja Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Bakar Haji Apong, the Minister of Health and Datin Hajah Edah Haji Mohd Noor.

Dayang Nurfaizah entertaining the audience at the AIDS charity dinner.

Malaysian singer Nash. Photos: Zaabah Har

A charity dinner "Maljis Makan Malam Amal 2003" organised by the Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council was held at the Royal Berkshire, Jerudong Park and Country Club on Saturday night.

The guest of honour was Pehin Orang Kaya Putera Maharaja Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Bakar Haji Apong, Minister of Health.

Also present was Datin Hajah Edah Haji Mohd Noor, President of Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council.

The guests were treated to performances by local artistes, Pg Zainal Abidin Pg Haji Puteh and Azlina ABD Ghani, as well as two Malaysian singers, Nash and Dayang Nurfaizah.

The event was coordinated and organised by Zain Ariff Sports and Event Management.

The artistes sang a song "Sucinya Cinta Mu" in a grand finale to the charity dinner.

Chairman of the Organising Committee for the charity dinner cum Vice President of the Brunei Darussalam

AIDS Council, Puan Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny gave a speech.

She said that the Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council was set up in 1997 and in a short time had established a few AIDS preventive programme to focus attention on AIDS, especially among the youths.

She outlined programmes like the "Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya" training programme, Youth Ambassadors for Positive Living Cooperation with the Commonwealth Youth Programme-Asia Centre and further training for trainers in cooperation with the Ministry of Health.

She said that the objective of the Charity Dinner was not only to collect money but also to let the public know and understand the efforts of the Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council, especially its programmes that deal with AIDS patients.

She added while waiting for contribution from the government, individuals and the private sector, the Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council had also helped patients in need of basic aid for a short period of time.

She thanked the individuals and organisations that contributed to the charity dinner.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin