Najib: Like sports, doing charity unites people too

KUALA LUMPUR: Doing charity and lending a hand to the needy can also help create “moments of unity”, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

While sports has always been a unifying factor among Malaysians, charity can also bring Malaysians together, he said.

“Sports is a medium to inculcate the spirit of unity and love for the country because it does not know race or religion.

“Likewise, helping the needy can also create moments of unity because when you help, you will get returns (in the form of blessings.)

“This is the value system I want to promote; we should come together to help the needy,” he said in his opening address at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ti-Ratana Seniors Sanctuary here in Desa Petaling yesterday.

Present were Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Ti-Ratana founder Chief High Priest of Malaysia Most Venerable Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana, Ti Ratana president Datuk Dr K.K. Chai and other dignitaries.

As the Prime Minister, Najib said he would like to see a country that was not only harmonious and prospe­rous, but also see the “happy smiling faces” of all Malaysians.

Off to a good start: (From left) Tengku Adnan, Dhammaratana, Najib, Chai, Liow (in blue shirt) and other VIPs at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ti-Ratana Senior Sanctuary in Desa Petaling.

 

“How do you make Malaysians happy? We cannot guarantee your personal happiness. That is up to you, but we can try to create a caring, passionate and giving society.

“A society that cares for the people can contribute to the public’s happiness.

“I would like to see the ‘thousand million smiles’ on the faces of Malaysians,” he said.

Najib was referring to the song One Thousand Million Smiles by the late Sudirman, which was sung by the children at Ti-Ratana at the opening ceremony.

Najib also announced an additional RM1mil donation for Ti-Ratana’s new centre for senior citizens.

Previously, the Government had already donated RM1mil to Ti-Ratana to help kickstart their fundraising campaign to build the “Seniors Sanctuary” here in Desa Petaling, said Najib.

He also appealed to the public to generously contribute and help make the project a success.

Earlier in his speech, Chai said everyone has an important role to play in contributing to the betterment of society.

He added that due to global economic challenges, many charities are experiencing difficult times.

The Ti-Ratana Senior Sanctuary is a five storey building which can accommodate 180 seniors with better facilities with a projected construction cost of RM12mil excluding furnishing.

The fund raising campaign for the centre was launched in 2012 by Najib and has managed to raise RM4mil to date.

The Ti-Ratana Welfare Society was set up in 1994 to provide shelter and care for under privileged people in the community.