Historic charity dinner raises 1 million Malaysian Ringgit to support humanitarian efforts of Tamil Forum Malaysia (TFM)

16 July 2011, Saturday saw another milestone achieved by the Tamil Diaspora in Malaysia. A charity dinner with a target to raise a million Malaysian ringgit to help fund humanitarian efforts in Sri Lanka's war affected Vanni and Tamil refugees in Malaysia was organised by the members of the Tamil Forum Malaysia (TFM).

A well attended dinner at the prestigious members only Golf Club saw some moving performances exclusively by Tamil refugee children of all ages. It is perhaps these performances helped the donors to be so generous that the second half of the million was raised on the night by some handsome contributions.

Rev S J Emmanuel - President of GTF

Datuk Seri Dr S Samy Vellu, Malaysian Government’s Special Envoy for Infrastructure to South Asia, who has also been a cabinet minister for more than two decades, was the chief guest. Rev. Father S.J. Emmanuel, President of Global Tamil Forum (GTF) was present as guest of honour.

Many other distinguished persons, politicians, academics, business entrepreneurs and well wishers were present among the guests.

Some of the members of Malaysian Parliament and Senate, Mr. Manogaran Marimuthu - Opposition MP (DAP Party), Mr. Ramakrishnan Suppiah - Senator Upper house (DAP Party) and Mr. Johari BIN Abdul - Opposition MP (PKR Party), who went to Sri Lanka under cover recently to see for themselves of the misery of the displaced Tamil people were also present.

A presentation with recent factual data was presented to guests for everyone to realise the scale of the suffering of the Tamil people in the Vanni. Many refugee children, boys and girls of all ages provided light entertainment throughout the evening.

Dr S Samy Vellu & Rev S J Emmanuel

President of the TFM, Dr. Iyngkaran gratefully delivered his welcome speech and provided details of help provided so far by the Malaysian Tamils. Datuk Seri Dr S Samy Vellu, reinstated his personal commitment to helping his brethren in Sri Lanka and the people who have arrived as refugees in Malaysia. He too was very generous on the day and before.

Father S.J.Emmanuel as President of Global Tamil Forum (GTF), praised the humanitarian efforts of the Malaysian country member organisation Tamil Forum Malaysia(TFM) and its members. Mr. Suren Surendiran as spokesperson for the GTF informed the guests of some of the next steps that GTF will be taking globally to bring awareness to the Tamil grievances.

Dance by Refugee Children

After a five course delicious Malaysian cuisine and some great speeches and entertainment, Mr. Kanagarajah as Chairman of Fund Raising Committee delivered a grateful thank you speech to end a memorable and historic evening.

Courtesy: GTF