On the 9th November 2011, I was the emcee for the launching of a book entitled "From Belacan to FM" written by Dato Haji Affandi Tahir, my former CEO of a local radio station di Sarawak. The Chief Minister of Sarawak, YAB Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud was the guest of honor and a lot of state deputy ministers and VIPs were invited to witness this historical event. The event was hosted and sponsored by Dato Muhammed Kassim, the Group Executive Chairman of Corridor Development Corporation Berhad, who is also a good friend of the author. CDC Berhad is the publisher for the Malaysian Corridor Magazine, the magazine that features the latest news and updates on all the five development corridors in Malaysia, namely SCORE, SEDIA, ISKANDAR, ECER and NCER. You can visit the website at www.cdc-msia.com.my.
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| YAB Pehin Sri Hj Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister of Sarawak, (on the left) Dato Muhammed Kassim, Group Executive Chairman CDC Berhad, (on the right) Dato Haji Affandi Tahir |
In his opening speech Dato Muhammad said he immediately agreed to sponsor and host the launching as soon as he knew of Dato Haji Affandi's book. As the book was a memoir about the Dato's career in broadcasting and life experiences growing up in a small village and then successfully reaching corporate top level. I was not surprised that he sponsored because I knew that Dato Muhammed was also a media man before he migrated to the Peninsula Malaysia. Broadcasting is a good place for those who want to explore their talents. From this field, you can even make it to becoming a State Representative, political party committee and also a multimillionaire businessman. Dato Muhammed ends his speech by congratulating Dato Haji Affandi for his achievements in life and the launching of his book. Dato Muhammad was not even scheduled to give a speech that morning. He only knew about it when he reached the hotel but I think he did pretty well.
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| Dato Haji Affandi & I |
I invited the author after that and he talked about his days in the broadcasting industry, his side of the story about people he met and a little bit of the history of his village back then, before Malaysia was formed. The guests were touched by his story when he mentioned about the late Datuk Amar Puan Sri Laila Taib, the late wife of the Chief Minister. The guests were muted awhile when he disclosed about her kindness and concerned about the colon cancer he suffered a few years back. Dato Haji Affandi Tahir sobbed and struggled while reading his text about Laila, and he managed to hold his grip to continued with his speech. I found his speech reflective and well executed.
After his speech, as the MC, I invited the Chief Minister to the stage to deliver his speech then he remained on the stage for the symbolic launching gimmick. We had prepared and rehearsed the launching gimmick a few times before this. The lights were dimmed and when the song "chok chok kendung" was played, a postman dressed in the 60's outfit came in riding a red bicycle caring a parcel, containing the book. The audience including the Chief Minister was mesmerized by the gimmick especially when I requested the author to signed the resit of acceptance which was a regular scene back than. The guests applaud when I gave the rationale behind the launch gimmick.
CDC Berhad Group Executive Chairman Dato Muhammed Kassim also donated 1,000 copies of the books for all the school libraries in Sarawak and he also personally donated RM25,000 to Laila Taib Cancer Charitable Trust which he handed a mock cheque over to the Chief Minister. This was followed by the presentation of a memento to the Chief Minister by the author. It was a picture of both of them shaking hands during his visit to RTM, Kuching when he was the Federal Minister of Information in 1976. Everything went well on the stage and the timing which was our main concerned was executed right to the dot.
I invited all the VIPs off the stage to be seated to have lunch together with the rest on the guests. During lunch the author who was seated at the main table couldn't even enjoy his food because he was approached by many guests who wanted to get their book autographed . Dato Haji Affandi Tahir gladly did so and the sales of the books increased by the minute. At the main table the Chief Minister looked pleased about the event. The officers from the protocol department said it is seldom we can see how approachable the CM is during an event like this. The Chief Minister was seen talking with almost all of he guests invited and willingly agreed to give photo opportunities with those at the main table.
I thank God for the smoothness of the event without any unwanted issues and failure. Here are the pictures for the event.
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| The Stage |
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| The Pullman lobby, the red carpet is ready |
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| The VIPs table setup. |
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| The seating arrangement. | |
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| The reception cum selling counter. |
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| The invited guests |
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The Protocol Officials
The VIPs table after the official ceremonies are done. The guests stated to overwhelm the table to get an autograph.
A view from the stage of the VIPs table.
YB Datuk Talip Zulpilip, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Dato Haji Salleh Sulaiman, Organizing Chairman for the launching.
Feisal Kassim Avarathar, The Stage Manager for the launching and I
The signature of the author
From Belacan To FM is on sale right now at RM25 a copy. Most of the primary and secondary schools library will have a least a copy. Thanks to Dato Muhemmed Kassim for the personal donation.
Hamzani Production |
mana nk dapat buku ni?
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