Rotary JB to continue humanitarian work

The newly-installed 65^th president of the Rotary Club of Johor Baru (RCJB), Lee Soo Tong, has given his commitment to continue with the club’s humanitarian services and engagement with the youths. 

RCJB's 65th president, Lee Soo Tong [7th from Right] and
his Board of Directors for Rotary year 2016 - 2017
with guest of honour, Datuk Tee Siew Kiong [8th from Right]

In his inaugural presidential message, Lee said he wanted to see through the project that was initiated by the previous club president to set up RCJB’s second haemodialysis centre in Bandar Seri Alam.

This second haemodialysis center will be another signature project for RCJB along with their existing humanitarian services in the Rotary Club of Johor Baru Haemodialysis Centre, the Palliative Care Association of Johor Baru and the Ang Tiong Loy-RCJB Children’s Home in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah. 

He said this during a recent installation dinner in which RCJB installed Lee as its 65^th president.

Outgoing club president, Freddie A. C. Lee, presented the president’s insignia to Lee, the incoming president for the Rotary year 2016 – 2017, in a simple ceremony.

In-coming club president, Lee Soo Tong [Left] with
out-going club president, Freddie A. C. Lee

The event was witnessed by guest of honour, Johor Domestic Trade, Tourism and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong.

When RCJB started their first Haemodialysis Centre in 1991, it was the first non-governmental organisation-operated haemodialysis centre in the region to meet an essential need for kidney patients.  Soon after it was established, other clubs and associations followed their lead to set up similar dialysis centers in their communities. 

In March 2004, the late Sultan of Johor, Sultan Iskandar, officially declared the Rotary Haemodialysis & Hospice Center open to operate as a centre licensed by the Ministry of Health.  It now serves the needs of some 75 patients in and around JB.

RCJB also organized a Gala Charity Dinner on March 5, where some RM1.5 million was raised to kick-start the project to build and equip the second haemodialysis centre in Bandar Seri Alam to provide highly subsidised treatments to the financially challenged residents in that area.

He said that during his term, a series of “Healthy Living” campaigns will be launched to educate and encourage the community to live more healthily and avoid lifestyle diseases like diabetes – the root cause of health problems – experienced by 63% of dialysis patients.

One for the album: [Left to Right] Rotarians Datuk Teo
Shiok Fu, guest of honour Datuk Tee Siew Kiong,
Freddie A. C. Lee and Lee Soo Tong

Lee also said that RCJB will continue to work with Rotaract Clubs under their Vocational and Youth services arm, through a series of forums and workshops to address their needs such as employability, self-improvement and language abilities.

He said the “Young Inventors Award” for students will be relaunched as a Science Camp where Form 3, 4 and 5 students will be taught critical and lateral thinking to prepare them for the challenges in the real world.

Rotary International marks its 111^th year in serving humanity this year and one of Rotary’s core values is “Service Above Self,” the motto of Rotary Clubs worldwide.

Last year, RCJB carried out several anti-dengue campaigns to raise awareness among residential communities in Taman Kebun Teh and Bandar Seri Alam.

Chartered in 1952, RCJB is the oldest Rotary club in the city and the second largest club in the District with a track record of many worthwhile social and humanitarian projects.

A version of this was published in NST Online on 8 June 2016