Prime Minister’s Award 2011 (Anugerah Perdana Menteri)
On Sunday night, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development hosted the Prime Minister’s Award 2011. It was a gala dinner event where 2 awards were given, the Prime Minister’s Award for Woman Entrepreneur and Woman Social Activist.
- The Prime Minister’s Award for Woman Entrepreneur 2011 recognizes the participation and contribution of women towards Malaysia’s GDP growth. Candidates were judged based on their corporate success and business ethics.
- The Prime Minister’s Award for Woman Social Activist 2011 has to be promoting a cause within the 13 sectors stated in the Women’s Development Action Plan. Candidates were judged based on the effort given to their operational programs. This is in addition to the effectiveness and level of impact they have on the community.
Held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Y.B. Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak graced the event together with his wife, the First Lady of Malaysia, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. Also in attendance was Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (Minister of Women, Family and Community Development), as well as Tun Musa bin Hitam (Sime Darby Bhd Chairman).
The Prime Minister’s Award is one of the most prestigious awards in Malaysia. Those nominated for the awards have to go through a strict process: meet the government stated requirements, fill in pages long of official forms, 1-hour long interviews by a panel of judges, video-recorded interviews… and it’s all audited by Deloitte.
The process is so strict because the top 5 winners in each category will be endorsed by the Malaysian government. The winners for both categories will each receive RM100,000 cash, a trophy and a watch by Mouawad.
In addition, the winner for the Woman Entrepreneur Award will receive sponsorship for a woman exporters development program from Matrade, while the winner for the Woman Social Activist Award will receive sponsorship to carry out social activities for 2 years from the Special Treasury Fund (Tabung Khas Perbendaharaan)!! The Top 5 from each category will also each receive RM20,000 cash, trophy and a watch by Mouawad.
Out of over 100 women who were nominated and short-listed, only 10 were chosen as the top 5 for either category… and from those 5, one was chosen as the winner.
Our very own Dato’ Ruby Khong, President of Kechara Soup Kitchen, was nominated for the Prime Minister’s Award for Woman Social Activist! Not expecting to win anything… she came out as the Top 5! The years of her hard work, dedication and nurturing care in KECHARA SOUP KITCHEN has been officially recognized by the Malaysian government.
Congratulations Dato’ Ruby Khong, and congratulations to both women, Hooi Lai Lin (Ken-Rich Chemical) and Datin Khatijah Sulaiman (Rumah Amal Cheshire Selangor) who won the Women Entrepreneur and Social Activist Award respectively.
This award recognizes those who broke off from their traditional role as housewives, and ventured off to create social and economical improvements for their people and country. They had to courage and intelligence to take on that challenge. All the women who were nominated are winners.
Dato’ Ruby Khong has been with me for 17 years. She is loyal, courageous, very kind person to me. We have been good friends as well as she is my student. We are more like family now if I may say so. Years ago when I go asked Dato’ Ruby to take over our Kechara Soup Kitchen dept and lead this dept, she immediately agreed and has worked very hard to feed the homeless. She never finds excuses to fail. She put all her personal free time and plans aside and went all the way with Kechara Soup Kitchen and this is the fabulous results. Working for others is the way to go. Now our whole nation of Malaysia recognizes Dato’ Ruby and her work in our soup kitchen… Today our soup kitchen is offering 1,700 packets of food to the homeless per week. I am indeed very proud of this outstanding member of Kechara House. Thank you Dato’ Ruby so much. I thank our Prime Minister, his wife and all involved in this event.
Tsem Rinpoche
Former Miss Malaysia Yasmin Yussuf and Will Quah emceed the event.
The beautiful stage.
Dato’ Ruby Khong arrived promptly for the event.
The event programme and sign that says, “Supporters of the Social Activist Finalist”!
Dato’ Ruby Khong sitting on the main table. She’s sitting amongst the 10 finalists, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and Tun Musa bin Hitam.
There were several performances that night.
Dato’ Ruby Khong sitting next to Datin Khatijah Sulaiman, winner of the Social Activist Award 2011.
Everyone stood up for the National Anthem.
A Muslim prayer was then given before the event began. How beautiful.
The Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, gives her opening speech. This is such a wonderful lady. Datuk Seri Shahrizat is charismatic, intelligent, and very kind.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, then gives his opening speech. He mentions how the outstanding women should be recognised as icons to inspire more women to become leaders.
The Prime Minister mentions how this award recognizes women as key players to the social and economic development of Malaysia.
The Prime Minister also mentions how this award was also to highlight how the country needed more women entrepreneurs and leaders.
The awards are then given out…
Dato’ Ruby on stage to receive her prizes.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak awards Dato’ Ruby Khong with the prize.
Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor has been supportive of Kechara Soup Kitchen. Earlier this year in March, she officiated the new building off Jalan Imbi. It was very kind of the first lady of Malaysia to attend our Kechara Soup Kitchen’s official opening.
Dato’ Ruby Khong receiving her trophy… congratulations! Wow a proud moment for Dato’ Ruby, her family and Kechara House.
Official Photo #1
Official Photo #2
Standing next to Datin Khatijah Sulaiman (middle) and Prof Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman (left)
The Top 5 for the Woman Social Activist Award stood on the right, whilst the Top 5 for the Woman Entrepreneur Award stood on the left.
The finale of the event!
What a wonderful and powerful award ceremony.
Dato’ Ruby Khong with a trophy she truly deserves.
Congratulations!
(left to right) Kwok Wai, Karen, Jean Mei, Dato’ Ruby Khong, Clifford and Siong Woan. Kecharians who went to show their support.
Kok Wai, Karen and Siong Woan are part of the KSK team, they are committee members whom without them, KSK wouldn’t be as successful as it is today.
Kechara Soup Kitchen team, with Clifford Khong (top right).
Datuk Sharizat Abdul Jalil and Dato’ Ruby Khong. Datuk Sharizat is such a elegant and great example to the women of the world.
Malaysia’s own Mother Theresa, Mother Mangalam, and Dato’ Ruby Khong.
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Beautiful, wonderful Dato Ruby, what would we do without one’s like her!!!
Congratulations Dato Ruby! You Have done Kechara Soup Kitchen and the Kechara Organization proud by this great and rare achievement!
Dato’ Ruby, we are proud of you !!
I am so proud of my dear sister, Dato Ruby Khong who has worked so hard to help the less fortunate. She truly deserves this recognition and award. Congratulations and well done!!!
A day of great meaning and significance for Kechara Soup Kitchen, whose President, Dato’ Ruby Khong, was chosen as one of the top5 to receive from the Prime Minister of Malaysia, an award for Women Social Activists 2011, at a gala Dinner held at Kuala Lumpur Convention centre. As one of 13 depts of Kechara House, it was indeed a proud day not only for Dato’Ruby, but also for Kechara House for which Dato’ Ruby has so proudly and desrvedly represented. In his opening speech, the Prime minister mentioned that women should be recognised as icons to inspire more women to become leaders, and this award recognises women as key players to the social and economical development of Malaysia. Our heartiest congratualions to our dedicated sister Dato’ Ruby “for all her hardwork, devotion and nuturing care” in building up Kechara Soup Kitchen to what it is today – officially so well recognised by the Malaysian Governmental authorities and appreciated by the general public of Malaysia!
Purely.. Generosity.. and Champion.. Congrats Dato’..
Congratulations Dato Ruby! Truly an inspiration for all who know her. So proud of Dato Ruby!
Cheers to Dato’ Ruby Khong! Congratulations.
Congrats Dato’ Ruby Khong. What a great reward. I rejoice.
Dato’ Ruby is an INSPIRATION! She is a GEM, with so many magnificent facets; sparkling with GURU DEVOTION, DEDICATION and COMPASSION etc.
Congratulations Dato’ Ruby Khong! We are proud of you and your team work hard to serve the homeless and urban poor.
Wow… Dato, I am so proud of you