BACKThis speexh was delivered by the MCC President Dr. Kim K. Tee, on Sept 3, 2000.
Selamat Petang/Good Evening,
Selamat datang ke Jamuan Makan Malam Merdeka Tahun Dua Ribu
Welcome to the Merdeka 2000 reception and dinner.
The Malaysian Club of Chicago is honored to have with us tonight for this celebration Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia and Datin’ Seri Dr. Siti Hasmah; The Honorable Tan Sri Dato' Musa Mohamad, Minister of Education; Yang Terbesar Dato’ Ghazzali bin Sheikh Abdul Khalid, Malaysian Ambassador to the United States and Datin Faridah Ghazzali, senior government officials and distinguished guests from Malaysia and United States.
Thank you all for coming tonight. My name is Dr. Kim K. Tee. I am one of the founding directors and the current president of the Malaysian Club of Chicago. Malaysian Club of Chicago was formed in 1999 with the main objective to promote and preserve Malaysia’s culture and heritage here in the United States. Many of our members have their own children, thus this club will serve as the vehicle to allow our young children to grow up with a better understanding and appreciation of our rich heritage. Malaysian Club of Chicago provides a way for our community as well as family members to enrich their lives with Malaysia’s ideals and culture. Malaysian Club of Chicago will always strive to preserve the good image of Malaysia to the general public.
As we celebrate Malaysia’s 43rd Independence Day-Hari Sambutan Merdeka Tahun dua ribu, we feel proud to be associated with Malaysia in one way or another.
Tonight’s event is made possible by the hard work of many individuals. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge several Malaysian Club of Chicago committee members who have spent many hours behind the scene in the preparation of tonight’s reception and dinner. As I call your name please raise your hand. My Vice-Presidents---Mr. FooSang Lee, one of the founding directors of Malaysian Club of Chicago as well as director for MIDA-Chicago, and Mr. Azman Mahmud, who is also a deputy director for MIDA-Chicago, Mrs. Kathy Tee - our Secretary. Mrs. Wigen Yap-our treasurer. Next, we have several individuals who are our special event directors and I would also like to thank them as well. Mr. Hamidi Harun, Dr. Peter Lee, Mrs. Florence Lee, Mrs. Siew Kiew Lee, Yin Kean, and Mr. Muntuck Yap.
I would also like to take opportunity to thank our corporate sponsors who have provided financial support towards this events. They are Janathan Lustiq, Malaysian Airline Systems, Mexpo International, Motorola, Oak Brook Surgical Center, Penang Malaysian Cuisine and Supermax Corp. Bhd.
Tuan-tuan dan Puan-Puan/Ladies and Gentlemen,
it is now my great honor to introduce to you our guest of honor YAB Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohamad.
Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad will now deliver to us a speech. This will be followed by questions and answers, some social time to mingle and get to know one another. Please join me in welcoming our guest of honor and speaker Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohamad