PRESS RELEASE

New SI Seremban Club boosts Soroptimist International network in Malaysia

Seremban, 21 March 2007. Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia (SIROM) is pleased to announce the formation of yet another club in Seremban, thus strengthening its network to 13 clubs throughout Malaysia.

Led by SIROM President Puan Sri Siew Yong Gnanalingam and her Extension team members Nina Wong and Beh Suat Pheng, the formation of SI Seremban follows the interest shown by 27 ladies from all walks of life, but with one common goal, which is, to provide service to the Malaysian communities, particularly women and children.

SI Seremban will be chartered by SI South West Pacific’s President , Ms Lorna Mead on 21 March 2007 at a dinner ceremony graced by YAM Tunku Dara Naquiah of Negri Sembilan. To be held at the Sungei Ujong Club, all 27 ladies will be inducted as charter members. This ceremony will be witnessed by Soroptimists from Singapore and other parts of Malaysia, as well as guests from Seremban.

SI Seremban will have the following Executive Council:

President - Ms. Susan Ho
President-Elect - Datin Kuldip Kaur
Hon. Secretary - Ms. Nicole Tan
Hon. Treasurer - Ms. Patricia Ang
Extension Convener - Ms. Vimalar Devi Kandiah
Programme Convener - Mrs. Nages Balasekaran
Publicity Convener - Ms. Jenny Wang

As the 13th club in SIROM, SI Seremban will continue to work within Soroptimist International’s six focus areas:
• Human Rights and the Status of Women
• Education
• Economic and Social Development
• Health
• Environment
• International Goodwill and Understanding

Members of the public are welcome to join SI Seremban in championing notable causes for the well being of the community. Those who wish to attend the charter dinner or know more about the Soroptimist International movement can contact Susan Ho at 012-6012582 or Nicole Tan at 012-3626977 .

About Soroptimist International

Founded in 1921, Soroptimist International is the largest worldwide service organisation for women in business and the professions working through service projects to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. The objects of the organisation are to strive for:-:

• the advancement of the status of women
• high ethical standards
• human rights for all
• equality development and peace through International Goodwill and Understanding and Friendship

Soroptimist International has been accorded General (Category One) Consultative Status as NGO at the United Nations.

Headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, the organisation comprises approximately 95,000 members in over 3,000 clubs in 125 countries and territories worldwide who contribute time and financial support to local, national and international projects. Soroptimist International consists of four Federations, i.e, Americas (SIA); Europe (SIE); Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI); and South West Pacific (SWP)

The name, Soroptimist, is derived from two Latin words, “soror” meaning sister and “optima” meaning best. Soroptimists are women at their best working to help other women to be their best.

About Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia (SIROM)

SIROM is one of 12 Regions in the Federation of South West Pacific. With the addition of SI Seremban, there will be 13 clubs in the Region. The other Clubs are:
- SI Ampang - SI Bangsar - SI Damansara - SI Johor Bahru - SI Kuantan - SI Kuala Lumpur - SI Likas - SI Miri - SI Penang - SI Petaling Jaya - SI Shah Alam - SI Teruntum

In 2006, SIROM and its clubs celebrated 15 years of Soroptimism in Malaysia by conducting a year long campaign aimed at eradicating or at least reducing violence against women. These initiatives were:

• Printing of a brochure entitled “No War, Only Peace” which depicted the horrors of war and incorporated the KL Declaration to Criminalise War. These were sent to SI clubs around the world

• A Peace Forum entitled “Peace at Home, Peace in the Country and Peace in the World” was held in April 2006 with Tun Dr. Mahathir as the keynote speaker.

• A Safe Mall Survey was conducted on 56 malls nationwide to assess the level of personal safety.

• Workshops on Personal Safety for children; Youth Against Social Ills and Young Mothers Workshop were conducted

• A Public Service Campaign entitled “Women Against Violence” was carried out with the co-operation of 8TV.

For further information please contact:
Susan Ho Nicole Tan Pro-tem President Pro-tem Secretary Hp. No. 012-6012582 Hp. No: 012-3626977 Email: suemfho@yahoo.com Email: loyarbaik@hotmail.com

---