Segambut MCA organises special auction to drum up funds for new teaching hospital

KUALA LUMPUR: Several autographed badminton rackets were among the items being auctioned off during a dinner to raise funds for Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) Hospital in Kampar.

Two Yonex rackets with the signature of national badminton legend Datuk Foo Kok Keong were auctioned off for RM2,000 and RM4,000.

The third racket, bearing another legend and former All-England finalist Ong Ewe Hock's own XTRM brand, was sold for RM2,500.

Foo was also present during the dinner and took pictures with the successful bidders.

The funds will be utilised for the construction of a RM330mil non-profit teaching hospital at the Utar Kampar campus.

Construction work on the hospital is expected to be completed and start operations by 2023.

The fundraiser dinner was organised by the Segambut MCA division at the How Lin Kong Temple basketball court.

During her opening speech, MCA Youth chief Datuk Nicole Wong said MCA, despite being a political party, was concerned about education as well as healthcare for the people.

She said the party was not able to organise much fundraising activities or programmes throughout the various movement restriction periods during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Now that the time is different, all of us at all levels are working hard to gather support from the people," she said.

Wong, who is also Federal Territories MCA liaison committee chairperson, also called for the people's support in the next general election, to ensure stability and economic recovery.

"Following the last general election and several episodes of change in power, followed by the pandemic, we realise that political stability and economic recovery are more important than ever.

"However, the road to recovery is not going to be easy.

"Let's look forward to winning more seats in the next general election," she said.

Wong noted that it was only through winning more seats that the Chinese community would have their voices heard in the parliament, as well as at the local authority, state and Federal levels.

Division chairman Datuk Daniel Ling Sia Chin Ling also thanked all sponsors and attendees for the fundraiser dinner.

"We need over RM300mil to build Utar Hospital. With this hospital, we can have more affordable medical services for the people, which will be cheaper than private hospitals.

"It is a non-profit hospital, and all of your donation will go to making this hospital a reality," he said.