Recognising Women’s Contributions
Twenty one women were awarded with the inaugural Mutiara Perak Awards for their contributions to the wellbeing of Perak in the last ten years. The presentation ceremony, held in conjunction with a gala dinner, was graced by Datin Seri Rosmah Mansur, wife of the Prime Minister. It was held at Kinta Riverfront Hotel & Suites, Ipoh, recently.
Mutiara Perak Awards, in its first year of inception, is state-sponsored under the care of Dato’ Hamidah Osman, Executive Councillor for Women’s Affairs. Hamidah hopes to make it an annual affair as a form of appreciation to women who contribute equally to the country’s prosperity.
Winners of the Mutiara Perak Awards 2012 for the various categories were:
Women of Inspiration Awards:
Environmental – Donna Baylis
Arts & Culture – Rosenah bt Shamsulaman
Media – Kamalachee a/p Letchmanan
Healthcare – Dr Sumithra Sivasuntharam
Hospitality – Datin Julie Song
Entrepreneur – Nafsiah Yeop Abdullah
Social Activism – Dr Sharifah Halimah bt Jaafar
Community Renewal – Sister Helena Vytialingam
Rural Development – Epa bt Kampok
Education & Child Development – Mdm Lee Yam Sei
Property Development – Datin Irene Lee
Animal Care – Dr Goh Hue Liang
Women of Vision Awards:
Philanthropy – Mdm Sin Kuan Lin
Business – Datin Theresa Fong Nyok Yoon
Professional – Mrs Leelamoney Sinniah
Creative – Azizah bt Mohd. Yusof
Public Service – Ms Chong Phaik Kee
Social – Rohana bt Saidin
Sports – Dato’ M. Rajamani
Special Category Award:
Ambassador of Perak –
Dato’ Michelle Yeoh Choo-Kheng
Woman of True Beauty Award:
Dato’ Dr Madhuri Majumder
Eight eminent Perak women also received recognition on the same night. They were:
Toh Puan Umasundari Sambanthan
Tan Sri Nuraizah bt Abdul Hamid
Tan Sri Rafidah bt Aziz
Tan Sri Asiah bt Abu Samah
Tan Sri Chow Poh Kheng @ Rosemary Chong
Tan Sri Ainum bt Mohd Saaid
Tan Sri Robaayah bt Zambahari
Datuk Justice (Rtd) Heliliah bt Mohd. Yusof
Addressing the more than 1,000 guests, 400 of whom were from various non-governmental organisations in Perak, Rosmah acknowledged the heavy responsibilities of women in finding the right balance in career and family. She reminded women to network; to grab opportunities that allow them to progress in life, especially now that women are seen as men’s equal partners in the development of the country.
EL
Category: Headlines, News in Brief








I dedicate there beautiful words from a woman by the name of Helen Keller to all of you. ” The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart”.