Monday, March 01, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNSUNG MALAYSIANS RECOGNISED FOR STAND-OUT DEEDS
IN ‘F&N OUT-DO YOURSELF AWARD’
Kuala Lumpur, March 1, 2010 – Three teachers and two security guards who risked their lives to save 19 students in the Kuala Dipang collapsed bridge incident; a 12-year-old boy from Belaga who rescued two sisters from drowning; and a spunky girl who hasn’t given up despite enduring over eight operations for an incurable condition, were today recognized by F&N Holdings Bhd in the F&N Out-Do Yourself Award (OYA) scheme.
This is the third in the series of the award scheme which is F&N’s Corporate Responsibility initiative aimed at recognising individuals who rise above the call of duty to perform outstanding deeds. They range from bravery, chivalry, civic consciousness and promoting nation building to outstanding sports, academic or business achievements.
The recipients, which included for the first time, a group award, were selected by a panel of senior editors, headed by former Chief Justice Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Hj Abdullah.
The recipients are Yvonne Foong who is battling Neurofibromatosis but is striving to be an inspiration to other physically challenged Malaysians; Berine Sua Linggi who leapt into the Belaga River to save two sisters; and a group comprising teachers Ikha Nadia binti Md Idris, Mohd Sharif bin Ibrahim and Mohd Shah Rizal bin Zainudin as well as security guards Rusli bin Mohamad and Ismail bin Ahmad who saved 19 children when a suspension bridge they were standing on collapsed into the Kampar River.
Apart from receiving a certificate, plaque and F&N products, Yvonne and Berine received RM3,000 cash each while the group recipients received RM1,500 cash each from YB Datuk Seri Shahrir bin Abdul Samad, F&N OYA Patron, at an award ceremony attended by their family members in Kuala Lumpur today.
Also present were F&N Holdings Bhd Chairman YAM Tengku Syed Badarudin Jamalullail, F&N Holdings Bhd CEO Tan Ang Meng, Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Hj Abdullah and 100PLUS Ambassador Datuk Lee Chong Wei.
F&N Holdings CEO Mr Tan said the premise and objectives of the F&N OYA are simple. “More often than not as we go about with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we tend to lose sight of the simple things that matter – such as looking out for one another as fellow Malaysians, or reaching out with a caring hand to those in need, or performing a selfless deed without expecting anything in return.
“Unfortunately, there are many acts by the ordinary man-in-the-street, which go unheralded but have contributed significantly towards the betterment of the local community and society at large. F&N is proud to recognise these unsung heroes and heroines and reward them for a variety of achievements through the F&N OYA,” said Mr Tan.
Up to 12 individuals, be they Malaysians or foreigners residing in Malaysia, will be recognized annually. The 1st F&N OYA held in December 2008 recognised four Malaysians comprising powerlifter Mdm Siow Lee Chan, winner of a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games; teacher Mdm Seng Woam Guei who protected her student from an armed attacker; mother of seven, Pn Hjh Norlina bt Hj Alawi, who has taken 44 children of HIV/Aids patients into her home and heart; and visually impaired Prakash Suriyamurthy who is studying for his Masters in Translation and has written and translated articles and books in Malay, English and Tamil.
The 2nd F&N OYA held in May 2009 recognised Mdm Wendy Yap Lee Cheng who founded Persatuan Rumah Caring Kajang to provide shelter to single parents, orphans, old folks, drug addicts and the mentally-challenged; Mdm Chin Chu Lin who collects recyclable items from her neighbourhood to create awareness of environment conservation; and En Hassan Kodiron who charged into his neighbor’s burning house to save three children from danger.
F&N Holdings Bhd is a Malaysian company listed on Bursa Malaysia with F&B businesses in soft drinks, dairies and glass packaging. Property is a non F&B division. The Group employs nearly 5,000 employees in operations straddling Malaysia, Thailand, China and Vietnam.
ooOoo
Issued with the compliments of F&N Holdings Bhd
Through Eric Pringle Associates Public Relations Sdn Bhd
For further information, kindly contact Elsy Tan / Liz Khoo
Tel: 2161 7144 / Fax: 21617159 / Email: epapr@epapr.com.my