SPEECH

By: YBhg Datin Meiwun Meilanny, Senior Vice President, Radius International Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Duration of Speech: Tarikh: Masa: Tempat: | | | | 3 mins 12 Aug 2011 ( Friday) 5.30 9.30 pm Radius International Hotel Kuala Lumpur

MAJLIS IFTAR RAMADAN MAC 2011

YBhg Tan Sri Zaman Khan, President of the Malaysian AIDS Council, YBhg Mr Albert Ng, Chief Executive Officer, Radius International Hotel Kuala Lumpur YBhg Encik Khairil Ismahafiz Muhadzir, Chief Executive Officer DagangHalal.com YBhg Encik B. Ravintharan, Head, Cards and Payments Consumer Banking Maybank, YBhg Puan Marlin Tan Sri Nordin, Vice President, Head of Bankcard Services, Maybank Berhad, YBhg Pn Nadiah Hanim Abdul Latif, Head of Corporate Communications, Sime Darby Group Berhad, YBhg ACP Puan Rosniah Ramli and Ybg Bhg DSP Azlan bin Abu, Bukit Aman Training Unit from Royal Malaysian Police, Representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women and Community Development, Royal Malaysian Police, Malaysian Department of Islamic Development, National Anti-Drug Agency, Islamic Council of Selangor, EXCO members and Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporters of the Malaysian AIDS Council, Members of the media and fellow guests. YBhg Tan Sri-Tan Sri, Dato-Dato, Datin-Datin, Tuan-tuan dan Puan-puan, Salam Sejahtera and a very good evening to all. Let me first extend a warm and heartiest welcome to the Radius International Hotel Kuala Lumpur for the Majlis Iftar Ramadan 2011 bersama Komuniti yang Disayangi. On behalf of the Hotel, I would like to thank the Malaysian AIDS Council for the opportunity to be part of this event and for letting us host play host to such a joyous occasion. Ladies and gentlemen, The issue of HIV/AIDS is not one to be taken lightly and since its emergence in the mid-80s until 2010, more than 90,000 people have been infected, and thousands

SPEECH
By: YBhg Datin Meiwun Meilanny, Senior Vice President, Radius International Hotel Kuala Lumpur
more affected by the epidemic. Lives have been lost, livelihoods disrupted and children left orphaned due to the pandemic and it is vital for all of us to do our part to help curb and control the spread of the virus. HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination severely hamper efforts to effectively fight the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Fear of discrimination often prevents people from seeking treatment for AIDS or from admitting their HIV status publicly. Combating stigma and discrimination against people who are affected by HIV/AIDS is vital to preventing and controlling the global epidemic. In this case, education is needed so they are able to challenge the discrimination, stigma and denial that they encounter. A more enabling environment needs to be created to increase the visibility of people with HIV/AIDS as a 'normal' part of any society, and thus to confront the fear-based messages and biased social attitudes, in order to reduce the discrimination and stigma of people living with HIV and AIDS. I would like to congratulate the Malaysian AIDS Council for its work in containing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country. Through its various efforts and campaigns the Council has indeed been successful in reducing the number of new infections and increase awareness on HIV/AIDS of the Malaysian masses. MACs unyielding effort in improving the quality of life of those living with HIV/AIDS is commendable. Well done and keep up the good work. With the shared passion to educate the masses on HIV/AIDS and elevate the living standards of those living with HIV/AIDS, Radius International Hotel Kuala Lumpur is proud to be part of this noble collaboration making one of our organizations social responsibility initiatives. Here I would like to express again my sincerest gratitude and heartiest congrats to Malaysian AIDS Council. I look forward to continuing our close collaboration as we strive to achieve a society free from the negative impact of HIV and AIDS. I take this chance to wish all a Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfithri and the very best in all your future undertakings. Thank you.