Sime Darby Healthcare ~ Diabetes Walk 2009

In conjunction with World Diabetes Day on November 14-2009, Sime Darby Healthcare played their part in supporting and keeping with the theme of the annual day. The 5 year theme spanning 2009 - 2013 is focused on Diabetes Education and Prevention and stated the objective of


Know the diabetes risks and warning signs
Know how to manage diabetes and take control


Sime Darby Healthcare held their Diabetes Walk on Sunday November 8. Registration began at 6.30am at the MBSJ sports arena and keen participants were there at that early hour to get themselves geared up for the Walk.


I was surprised to see so many people turn up at that hour on a Sunday morning. Not only Walk participants, but regular folk make their way to the MBSJ arena daily in the early hours to exercise and kick off their day. Amazing!!! I applaud MBSJ for opening their sports arena at 6am daily to facilitate these keen walkers for a safe ground to exercise with peace of mind. We've heard enough stories of snatch thefts in Malaysia to make everyone want to shut themselves indoors. Syabas MBSJ.

Participants received a Global Diabetes Walk t-shirt and other goodies in a goody bag.


I arrived just on time and practically didn't have any place to park, yes it was that well subscribed to my pleasant surprise. I quickly got into my Walk t-shirt and got going with the announcements of the day's program.



There were participants who turned up with their young and growing families





In good time, some VIPs began to arrive. Ms Elaine Cheong, CEO of Sime Darby Healthcare always looks cheerful at events and it's always a pleasure when she's around.


then with the arrival of Hannah Yeoh, the event got under way



In keeping with the theme, we got some overview education on the incidence of diabetes in Malaysia. Dr Hew, Consultant Endocrinologist entertained us with shocking statistics of how much diabetes is increasing in Malaysia. But almost unbelievable is the fact that keeping it in check is a simple and easy as a 1/2 hour walk 5 days a week. I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that my dogs ensure I keep up with that routine.


From the registration fees of all the participants, an amount of RM2,500 was collected and donation to the Malaysian Diabetes Association.


Soon after it was time to get everybody off the seats and ready to walk the 4 rounds, and with the guidance of SDMC's physiotherapists, participants got to learn the right way to walk and limber up for the activity.




All muscles awakened, time for flag off


and Banner led the way followed by all the Sunday Strollers, flag bearers






After the 4 rounds, it was time to reel everyone in for cool down and lucky draws






The event drew to a close with the collection of goody bags and yummy breakfast of nasi-lemak or meehoon, and I'm happy to say consideration was also given to vegetarians as vegetarian meals were also available.



The event was over by 9am and from what I saw everyone had a great time, and came away with the knowledge that keeping diabetes at bay was only a half hour away.

Opening of Sime Darby Specialist Center Megah

I was very happy to do this assignment. Got a surprise call from an ex-colleague who felt I was the right one for the task. She introduced to some really nice people in the organising committee, and after a couple of prepatory meetings, I was well-equipped to deliver the job.


It was on a Sunday morning, and we were all there bright and early. The event began without a hitch and went along like clockwork. The weather was reasonably cool after the previous evening's torrential downpour and all guests were comfortable in locally suited garments.




It was good to see all the VIPs dressed in batik instead of the claustrophobic and climate-inappropriate suit and tie.


Malaysia has such a vibrant batik industry and I wish more corporates would embrace the suitability of batik to our events. In fact, a great opportunity for our batik industry to manufacture more linen and cotton batiks for daytime, outdoor events such as this opening. Batik can be made into all forms traditional dress not only cheongsam, but saree and jippar/khurta too if the designers extended their creativity to widening the scope and spread of batik applicaiton.

All went well, the muhibbah performance of kompang, bhangra and lion dance was beautifully executed, adding colour to this simple but important event.



After all the formalities were over, I had a chance to walk around inside and came upon this beautiful unique congratulatory wreath of hydrangea and shepherd's purse. An inspiration to get a couple of hydrangea shrubs going in the shady and cool confines of my courtyard garden.


It was a pleasure and honour to meet the managing staff of this medical center. Ms Dama was impeccably knowledgeable of the center's offerings and I it being pretty close to home, perhaps I shall move my annual visits over to this center, seeing as how they have a specific clinic on women's health. Congratulations Sime Darby Specialist Center Megah!

My final stint as a full-time employee

Well all good things have to come to an end. After more than a decade with a great employer, I felt it was time to uproot and spread my wings. For 11 years I emcee'd the company's annual agency awards presentation with my partner. We made a good team and time flew by so fast, in a blink of an eye we grew in reputation and it was good that the crowd expected to see us up front leading them through the awesome night of awards before a record capacity crowd.

MDRT Day

Now this was an event I was heavily involved in from start to finish. My own unit was planning and hosting the event and launching our very own MDRT record book. This event was going to be attended by the MDRT International Chairman himself, Mr Philip E Harriman, so absolutely nothing could go wrong. Anyway, the day arrived and the venue was decorated so festively everyone was excited for a big party. It felt just like it. A gorgeous idea by the event company to have these balloons heliumed so that they floated to the ceiling draping beautiful tails of curly ribbon. Everything was in place for the arrival of THE MAN himself.





Then the event company got the festive ball rolling by warming up the crowd with a little exercise.





Mr Harriman proved an eloquent and entertaining speaker, impressive as the Chairman of MDRT International. And what a friendly person too. He told us of his career in this industry, and I was in awe of how he could achieve this standard year after year, in a small community. Proves that where there's a will there's always a way, and a way of integrity as well.




Lots of work went into the MDRT record book. Getting details from qualifiers who had achieved the MDRT performance requirement standard was no mean feat. Organising the photo taking professionally in the required format presented quite a challenge. And scripting their responses to a few questions for their profiles, well let's just say the exercise took a fair amount of creativity.






Launching of the book was via a bit of a magic show which sprang its own surprise on us, which was a good laugh. Festivities drew to a close after the very top producers collected their copies.