The Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) announced that it raised RM2.55 million at the Sunway-Malaysian AIDS Foundation Red Ribbon Gala held at the Grand Lagoon Ballroom, Sunway Resort Hotel, on 28th October 2022.
All funds raised from the Gala will be used to support the MAF Medicine Assistance Scheme. This programme supports underprivileged Malaysians living with HIV to access life-saving antiretroviral treatment.
The Black-tie affair, themed “Ensuring Sustainability in the AIDS Response,” looks into MAF’s strategic direction towards placing HIV and AIDS as an SDG target for Malaysia. Amongst the high-profile guests in attendance were the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim and MAF Chairman Prof Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman.
In her opening address, Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman expressed her gratitude to the individuals and organisations who believe in the cause. The event also celebrates the next milestone in the partnership in Ending AIDS with the Sunway Group, which kicked off last year with the Sunway HOPE Borneo Project that provides access to antiretroviral treatment for People Living with HIV from rural Sabah and Sarawak.
“We are, in what I would like to think, the final stretch in trying to bring an end to AIDS as a public health threat. Effective treatment can stop the onward transmission of HIV, and for those at risk, taking one pill a day can reduce the risk of HIV by 90%. So together, treating 95% of those living with HIV plus scaling up access to HIV prevention services are two of the most important measures to end AIDS. ,” added Dato’ Dr Adeeba, underscoring the importance of treatment and multi-stakeholder collaboration in the AIDS response.
As MAF’s signature fundraiser, the Gala also recognised those who demonstrate exceptional leadership and resilience in their work to support communities impacted by HIV/AIDS through the Sunway-Malaysian AIDS Foundation Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award.
This year’s Sunway-MAF Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award recipient, Mohamad Raffi’e Jaafar was recognised for sustaining the local community response to HIV/AIDS. MAF also honoured two other Award recipients: Mahfurizal bin Ameerlatfi (Along) and Komited Malaysia.
At the same event, MAF introduced two new awards to honour individuals from corporate Malaysia for their efforts in ending the AIDS Epidemic: Jamie Mead, Senior Director of Operations – South East Asia at Hilton, Goh Miah Keat, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Karex Berhad, and legendary Indonesian songstress, Krisdayanti, all received the MAF Inspiration Award, while Dato’ Sri Dr Jessy Lai, Founder and CEO of Monspace, received the MAF Philanthropic Excellence Award.