KOTA KINABALU: Break religious and gender boundaries so assistance could be extended to the less fortunate in all communities, said Rotary International District 3310 Governor 2014-15 Haji Andre Suharto.
In order to serve the targeted communities, he called for religious and gender diversity amongst Rotarians in the district that encompasses Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan, Johor, Melaka, Brunei and Singapore.
However, Andre insisted that Rotarians should first shoulder the responsibility of correcting the public’s misconception of the club by projecting an exemplary public image to subsequently attract the right members to join as Rotarians.
“A lot of people, especially among the Muslim communities, think we are a member of a Chinese organization and consist of a bunch of rich rotary members with a hidden agenda,” said Andre.
He attributed the fact that Rotary is a 110-year-old western organization which has been executing community projects that focus on all communities but not many emphasized among Muslim communities as possibilities that have encouraged this perception.
“In a way, we cannot blame them for thinking that. Therefore, if we (Rotarians) continue to believe that Rotary is an organization which takes action and contributes to communities irrespective of religion, political beliefs and skin colour, all our community projects must be catered to all communities,” he stressed.
Andre encouraged more members of the public especially among Muslim communities to expand the less than 100 Muslim members out of a total of 1,807 from 62 Rotary Clubs in District 3310.
“You need to come and join Rotary so that the representations of various ethnic religion and races in Rotary can become more equitable.
“In order for us to serve and help the communities, we need them as members of the Rotary club because they can understand what it takes to prepare and deliver assistance to all these communities,” he reasoned.
Muslim members can also overcome the hurdles of establishing a platform to help build up and mould leadership qualities in children at schools and universities.
According to Andre, many Muslim headmasters do not think Interact Clubs are necessary in schools as it is part of the Rotary organization, which has a hidden agenda.
“We are not linked to any organizations. All we want is to do the noble cause of helping people irrespective of race, language, religion, political beliefs and skin colour,” he reiterated.
Rotary, an organization initiated by four businessmen with the common philosophy to do good and help the less fortunate in the society, have 1,280,000 Rotarians in over 200 countries worldwide today.
He said the organization’s main focus was to instil compassion towards humanity, especially those in need, among future generations and preserve the country’s harmonious multi-religious and racial spirit despite the impact of rapid development.
“I know you and I will not be able to change the world but it does not mean that no one should be able to do nothing. Just you cannot change the world it doesn’t mean you should stop doing good.
“I know that the impact that you and I will be doing and continue to do will create the never ending ripples that will hopefully inspire more people to do good in the community,” said Andre.
District 3310 is also expecting the establishment of it first all women Rotary Club from Kota Kinabalu. The eighth rotary club is now in the process of registration, said Andre.
Currently representation of women in District 3310 is only 13.3% and 19.8% worldwide.
Focus on increasing the participation of women in the club is imperative in executing more women-centric programs, he added.
Public activities such as lucky draw were organized and a total of 28 booths were set up yesterday.
Besides the free health talks and exhibition, health services like glucose test, Thalassemia screening and Organ pledge were also organized during the one-day health drive.
Sabah Society for the Blind, Sabah Society for the Deaf, Sabah Mental Health Association, Sabah Association of Senior Citizens, Sabah Thalassemia Association, Kota Kinabalu Widows Association, Monfort Youth Training Centre, Palliative Care Association Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Cheshire Home as well as the Caring and Helping Individuals Learn and Develop (CHILD) Association Sabah all received a RM2,000 contribution each from Rotary yesterday.
Free wheelchairs were also distributed to 10 eligible Malaysians there.