19/05/2025

MONDAY | MAY 19, 2025

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Ex-banker finds new currency of life in creating smiles

PHNOM PENH: A prominent Malaysian banker-turned-social worker is bringing hope to rural Cambodians who had previously isolated themselves due to congenital facial deformities. Children and adults once living with birth defects, such as cleft lip and palate, can now smile with confidence and reconnect with family and friends free from stigma. This life-changing transformation is largely credited to Smile Cambodia vice-chairman and executive director Chan Kok Choy, who has led his team through numerous surgical missions. “It gives me happiness to see these patients smile again and their families happy. As Malaysians, we seldom see many people with cleft lip problems because our medical care is good. “Cleft lips and palate deformities are not something difficult to treat. It can be done in an hour and the recovery is fast,” he told Bernama in an interview in Phnom Penh recently. Chan, who once headed a major Malaysian bank in the Cambodian capital and later led a local financial institution, has helmed Smile Cambodia since 2015. The charity is part of Smile Asia, an

“During this three-day mission, 45 patients were screened and 30 received their life-changing operations with success. The remainder were either too young or did not meet our minimum criteria for a safe surgical procedure,” said Chan, 65, who hails from Kampar in Perak. His team also includes speech therapists and orthodontists to support post-surgery recovery, especially for children who suffer from speech impairments and low self-esteem. “Besides treating the patients, we want to improve their speech capabilities,” he added. Smile Cambodia is also planning to expand its services to include treatment for other conditions, such as microtia – a deformity of the outer ear – and burn injuries.

o Charity organisation vice-chairman leads team to provide free surgery to children with cleft lip, cleft palate and facial deformities

“These surgeries significantly transform their physical appearance and they are very appreciative. I feel so touched,” said Chan. The organisation recently carried out a surgical mission at Kampot Provincial Referral Hospital from May 1 to 3, its third mission this year. It was the 14th time Smile Cambodia collaborated with Rotary Clubs from Likas Bay, Senawang, Kuching Central, Penang and LuChou in Taiwan.

international alliance that provides free surgeries for children born with cleft lip, palate and other facial deformities. Smile Cambodia was established after the closure of Operation Smile Cambodia in early 2015. Together, both organisations have carried out nearly 5,700 surgeries across the country. Smile Cambodia alone has provided free surgeries to over 2,089 patients, ranging in age from three months to 81 years.

Madani event gives Tawau economy timely boost

the event.

TAWAU: The three-day Sabah Madani Rakyat event, held at the Tawau Municipal Council Square and concluded on May 11, proved to be a significant boost for the local community. The event benefitted not only visitors but also the local economy, especially those in the accommodation, transport, food and beverage sectors, and also among dried seafood vendors. Homestay operator Siti Fatima Hari, 55, said three houses owned by her family in Taman Muhibbah Jaya and Taman Semarak Indah were fully booked for a week at RM300 per night. “Bookings were made a month in advance and my guests came from Kota Kinabalu, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. They arrived two days before the event to make early preparations. “Although my homestays were fully booked, I continued to receive numerous inquiries. I politely declined and referred them to friends who also run homestays. I received more than 10 calls asking about availability during that period,” she told Bernama. Another homestay entrepreneur, Rosa Belle Edward, 48, from Taman Ria Heights, said her two-storey accommodation with four rooms, which she has operated for the past two years, was rented out at RM300 per night for a week to government employees from Kuala Lumpur involved in the event. “From what they told me, most hotels in Tawau were fully booked and they were glad they had made their reservation with me a month before the event,” she said. “I am grateful this government-led initiative has opened up income opportunities for me and the local community. Many also rented vehicles for convenience in getting around town,” she added. Rosnani Mukbar, 53, a food stall trader near the square, reported increased sales during

One of her featured items was nasi kuning daun pisang (yellow rice wrapped in banana leaves), sold at RM6 per packet. “If nasi lemak is considered a must-have breakfast in Peninsular Malaysia, then here, breakfast is incomplete without nasi kuning . Besides chicken, the main menu features nasi kuning served with fish, either tulai (basil) or kerisi ,” she said. “I made double the profit during the event, earning more than on normal days. Apart from nasi kuning , I also sold nasi ayam penyet , mee tofu and snacks such as curry puffs and seri muka ,” she said. Hawker Suhardi Lamiding, 38, who has been selling banana fritters and beverages behind the council building, said he earned over RM100 a day during the event compared with RM50 on normal days. He described the atmosphere as lively due to the influx of visitors. Car rental operator Samsudin Kahar said six of his cars were rented out for a week, with daily rates ranging from RM60 to RM200. “They were involved in the event, renting vehicles to transport large quantities of goods,” he said. “I am grateful for this. Not only were the hotels fully booked, but transport rentals also did very well thanks to the event,” he added, hoping for more such events in Tawau. The Tanjung Tawau market also became a popular destination after the event. Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the programme successfully met its objectives, with over 150,000 visitors benefitting from 36 booths and more than 200 public services provided by ministries, agencies and private sector participants.

Che Murad said the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry channels RM50,000 annually to each centre to support their activities. – SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/ THESUN M’sia ramps up elderly support ahead of 2030 PAPAR: A total of 190 Activity Centres for Older Persons have been registered with the Social Welfare Department and are now actively conducting programmes as Malaysia prepares to become an ageing country by 2030. Social Welfare Department Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, who is also Papar MP, officiated at the event. Che Murad added that Pg Abdul Halim Pg Rambang, 71, said the centre began operations in November last year and now has 155 registered members. A retired teacher, he said their programmes include community seminars.

intergenerational activities not only foster community ties but also help preserve cultural heritage through skills sharing between generations. He said the department would also introduce a new programme called PAWE@3A – Anywhere, Anyplace, Anytime, which allows elderly development activities to take place without the need for a dedicated building. The sessions are supported through strategic partnerships with government agencies, non governmental organisations and local communities. In Sabah, 23 activity centres are currently operating with 6,471 members. Two more centres will be opened in Kota Belud and Pantai Dalit in October. Kampung Benoni centre chairman

“We are very grateful to have this centre located near Assalam Benoni Jamek Mosque,” he said. Meanwhile, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living deputy secretary general (operations) Farah Adura Hamidi said the 2025 Kembara Kasih programme, held for the first time in Sabah, aims to bring ministry services directly to rural communities. She said the ministry has introduced buses and trucks as local social support centres after assessing the challenges residents face in accessing ministry services. “These buses and trucks will be handed to the Sabah State Welfare Foundation for use in reaching out to communities in need,” she said. – Bernama

director-general Datuk Che Murad Sayang Ramjan said the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry channels RM50,000 annually to each centre to support their activities. “The members include former government officers, private sector employees and the public who contribute ideas and help make the centres more vibrant and welcoming,” he said at the launch of a new centre in Kampung Benoni yesterday. The centres offer a variety of activities, including health checks, physical training suitable for the elderly and intergenerational programmes involving local youths, who learn traditional skills such as handicraft.