A charity dinner held last weekend by the Tamil Diaspora in Malaysia raised a whopping million Ringgit (US$330,000) to support the humanitarian efforts of Tamil Forum Malaysia (TFM).

The funds will be used to support Tamils affected by the war in Sri Lanka, as well as Tamil refugees in Malaysia. The second half of the sum was raised on the night.

(above) Malaysian politician Dr S Samy Vellu (r, seated) with GTF President Rev S J Emmanuel (l, seated)

Children staged cultural performances at the well attended dinner at the prestigious members-only Golf Club. Malaysian politicians, academics, business entrepreneurs and well wishers were among the guests.

Those attending were given a presentation of recent data on the scale of the humanitarian suffering in the Vanni.

President of the TFM, Dr. Iyngkaran, delivered his welcome speech and provided details of help provided so far by Malaysian Tamils. Datuk Seri Dr S Samy Vellu, reinstated his personal commitment to helping the Tamils in Sri Lanka, and those who had fled and arrived in Malaysia

Among the members of Malaysian Parliament and Senate who attended the dinner were Mr. Manogaran Marimuthu MP (DAP Party), Mr. Ramakrishnan Suppiah, Senator Upper house (DAP Party) and Mr. Johari Bin Abdul MP (PKR Party).

Father S.J.Emmanuel as President of Global Tamil Forum (GTF), of which the TFM is a member, praised the latter’s humanitarian efforts. GTF spokesperson Suren Surendiran the next steps that GTF will be taking globally to raise awareness of the Tamils’ grievances.

The historic evening concluded with a thank-you speech by Mr. Kanagarajah, Chairman of Fund Raising Committee.