Yeow inaugurated as new governor of Lion's Club District 308B1

From The Star

By CHARLES FERNANDEZ

charlesf@thestar.com.my

IT WAS a proud moment for Datuk Yeow Wah Chin, a Lion’s Club member who was inaugurated as the District 308B1 Malaysia Governor and which was witnessed by royalty, ministers and local corporate leaders at a ceremony at the Palace of the Golden Horses on Saturday.

The Yang DiPertuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir graced Yeow’s inauguration ceremony.

Proud moment: Tuanku Muhriz congratulating Yeow who was inaugurated as the District 308B1 Malaysia Governor at the Palace of the Golden Horses Hotel in Seri Kembangan.

Also present were the Tunku Ampuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Lion Yeow was elected to lead the district for the term 2010-2011 which covers seven states – Johor, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Federal Territory, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan. These states have 96 clubs and close to 3,000 members.

“It is an honour for me to carry the Lion’s torch. My vision is to make the district the best non-governmental organisation in the country and it can be achieved by the collective effort of every member,’’ said Yeow.

He said his vision was consistent with his theme “Together We Serve As One”.

“This is only possible if the members double up their efforts to come up with more meaningful service projects that will benefit the needy within their local communities, regardless of their race, creed and religious belief..

He also reminded the members that the club had been in existence for over 50 years and during that period has provided many services such as campaign on awareness of the environment, promotion of international understanding and youth development programmes.

In recent years, the Lions Club has embarked on large-scale projects such as the setting up of an eye clinic — the Lions Eye Clinic — to provide free cataract operations to the poor and to-date, close to 200 patients have benefited from it since it first started operations in February last year.

The Lions have also set up facilities for kidney patients. Over and above its autistic centre, the club has also with the support of the public, set up eight dialysis centres to provide services at subsidised rates.

And most recently, the Lions set up a Down Syndrome Centre in Kota Baru to serve special children and the artificial limbs project by the club has also benefited 20 recipients whose limbs were amputated due to diabetes.

“As we move along, we must take action to grow more in humanitarian service because more than ever before, there are many people in need and they need the Lions,’’ Yeow said to applause.

He urged the Lions to roar loudly and seize the opportunity to serve the needy.

Tuanku Muhriz in his speech congratulated Yeow on his new appointment and asked his members to work together and progress with time.

“The theme that you have chosen represents an important part of your function as a service-oriented movement because it will promote both your Lions concept of a caring and peaceful society and your ability to bring joy to the needy and the under-privileged,’’ he said.

He said if the club could achieve this objective, it would find an increase in membership.

“Thereafter with strength in numbers, it’s easy to complete whatever projects implemented. I look forward to the formation of more clubs in Negri Sembilan,’’ he added.

Besides the inauguration of Yeow, the event marked the installation of some 100 officers.