MIRI: The most expensive singer, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem with his rendition of four evergreen numbers, raised RM 1,800,000 for the proposed new MRC Kidney Dialysis Centre.
Adenan, who initially sang the songs — Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis Presley), Young Ones (Clift Richard) and Getaran Jiwa (P Ramlee) — raised RM1,600,000 for the centre during SUPP Miri-Sibuti Parliamentary Chinese New Dinner on Friday night at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club here.
Obliging for another song from the more than 3,000 people at the dinner, Adenan sang ‘Mona Lisa’. While singing, a corporate figure topped up with RM200,000 — bringing the total amount raised to RM1,800,000.
Earlier in his speech, Adenan called for support from the Chinese community for stronger representation of both the state and people, as well as more leverage in his negotiation on the state autonomy with the federal government.
He further explained that the state request for autonomy power did not mean that Sarawak wanted to be independent or get out from Malaysia.
Admitting that there were problems within the state Barisan Nasional (BN), Adenan assured that there would be no interference from the peninsula-based BN political parties.
“I have been successful in convincing Umno not to come and set up their branch in Sarawak. They will come to help us (during state election) but we don’t want a West Malaysian political party to tell us what to do in Sarawak. Who knows of Sarawak better than Sarawakians themselves,” he added.
Earlier, Assistant Minister of Communications Datuk Lee Kim Shin disclosed that the new dialysis centre was estimated to cost about RM5 million and able to accommodate 40 dialysis machines, catering for 160 end-stage patients with renal failure.
“The existing centre has more than 300 patients and will reach its maximum capacity by the end of next year, that is 400 patients. Presently, there are more than 50 patients on the waiting list. More than 90 per cent of them cannot afford to undergo dialysis at private medical centres, which can cost up to RM3,000 a month,” said Lee, who is also SUPP Senadin chairman and the dinner organising chairman.
The event also hosted Chief Minister’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamillah Anu, SUPP president Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, SUPP Piasau and Pujut chairmen Datuk Sebastian Ting and Adam Yii respectively and SUPP advisors Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri George Chan and Tan Sri Peter Chin.