KUALA LUMPUR, 6 November 2013 – The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) unveiled its new lineup of the Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporter Programme for the 2013/2014 cycle at a press event called Flora Goes Red for AIDS held at Flora Terrace @ Hampshire Place, Jalan Mayang Sari here tonight. Najwa Latif, Hafiz Hamidun and Dee were named the latest additions to the Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporter Programme, making the lineup a total of 15 celebrities. The event, which also looked back on the highlights and achievements of the programme in the previous cycle, was fully sponsored by Flora Terrace, a company of Flora Etceteras group of companies.

A giant Red Ribbon made of roses, adorning the exterior of Flora Terrace @ Hampshire Place, is one of the many lavish floral decorations crafted especially for Flora Goes Red for AIDS by sponsor Tuan Haji Abdul Razak Ahmad, Founder of Flora Etc Group of Companies and his creative team.

“MAC is truly blessed to have 15 of Malaysia’s well-known and influential celebrities pledge their undivided support for our Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporter Programme,” said Datuk Dr. Raj Karim, MAC President. On the selection of the new additions, she explained, “The three newly minted Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporters represent three critical areas in our HIV landscape which require immediate responses; increasing trend of yearly new HIV infections in young people, addressing stigma through the HIV & Islam approach, and enhancing HIV education and support for most affected communities.”

Najwa Latif talks about her role as a Red Ribbon Youth Club advocate in the Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporter Programme.

Teenage singer-songwriter phenomenon, Najwa Latif was chosen to front the Red Ribbon Youth Club, an initiative of MAC aimed at improving HIV knowledge and encouraging health-seeking behaviours among the youth, alongside fellow Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporter Aaron Aziz. “When I learned that one in three new HIV infections in 2012 was reported in young people aged between 13 and 29 years, I was completely shocked but at the same time asked myself, what can I do?” said Najwa. “The Red Ribbon Youth Club is a creative outlet for me to reach out to my fans and peers with accurate HIV information and messages emphasising the importance of HIV testing and treatment,” she further added.

Hafiz Hamidun explains his role promoting HIV awareness through the HIV & Islam programme.

Hafiz Hamidun, best-selling Islamic spiritual music vocalist and composer, described his selection as a Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporter as a godsend. “Alhamdulillah – all praise be to Allah – I am deeply humbled by this wonderful opportunity to do my bit for charity and the betterment of society. HIV stigma continues to devastate societies around the world, and in Malaysia the issue of HIV stigma is compounded by the complexities of cultural and religious beliefs. Through MAC’s ‘HIV & Islam’ programme, I hope to spread the word of Islam’s intolerance for stigma and discrimination, as well as messages of hope, care and compassion for people living with HIV,” said Hafiz.

Dee adds a touch of humour to his speech about his new role as a Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporter in promoting HIV education and awareness for the community.

Unlike his comedic persona, Dee, undeniably one of Malaysia’s most beloved comedians, planned to play his new role as a Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporter more seriously. “It saddens me to hear that many people, especially those who are most at-risk, would choose not to know their HIV status because they are not aware of the fact that we now have effective medicines that can significantly improve the health and life expectancy of people living with HIV. This poor understanding of HIV within our own community is what prompted me to do my part in improving community-based HIV education and support,” explained Dee.

New lineup of the Malaysian AIDS Council Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporters for cycle 2013/2014 at Flora Goes Red for AIDS. From left: Najwa Latif, Aanantha, Winnie K, Dee, Fahrin Ahmad, Dayang Nurfaizah, Bob Yusof and Hafiz Hamidun.

Rounding up the 15-strong Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporter lineup are Aaron Aziz, Aanantha, Bob Yusof, Dayang Nurfaizah, Faizal Tahir, Fahrin Ahmad, Joey G., Owen Yap, Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza, Shah Shamshiri, Uthaya and Winnie K. Initiated in 2009 as an HIV advocacy platform through strategic celebrity and media partnerships, the Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporter Programme works to support the HIV prevention, treatment, care and fundraising activities of MAC and its sister organisation, the Malaysian AIDS Foundation.

Prof Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Chairman of Malaysian AIDS Foundation (left) and Datuk Dr Raj Karim, President of Malaysian AIDS Council (centre) present a special token of appreciation to Tuan Haji Abdul Razak Ahmad, Founder of Flora Etc Group of Companies (right), sponsor of Flora Goes Red for AIDS.

“We are proud to be associated with MAC and the Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporter Programme,” said Tuan Haji Abdul Razak Ahmad, Founder of Flora Etceteras group of companies, sponsor of the event Flora Goes Red for AIDS. “I am confident that, with the addition of three new faces to the lineup, the Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporter Programme will not only grow stronger but also bring about positive change in the way Malaysians view HIV and treat people living with HIV,” he added.

The Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporter dedicated website, rrcs.my, made possible through the sponsorship of MYNIC Berhad, was also launched during the event.

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Malaysian AIDS Council

The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) was established in 1992 to serve as an umbrella organisation to support and coordinate the efforts of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working on HIV/AIDS issues in Malaysia. MAC works in close partnership with government agencies, the private sector and international organisations, to ensure a committed and effective NGO-led response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In addition to providing nationwide coverage of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services, MAC and its Partner Organisations serve as the common voice for communities most affected by HIV/AIDS in the country. Learn more at www.mac.org.my.

Flora Etc

Flora Etc is the flagship company of Flora Etceteras group of companies. The company is one of the leading wedding and event companies in Kuala Lumpur renown for outstanding flower arrangements using fresh flowers. The company provides decoration services for corporate and private events ranging from corporate dinners to birthday parties. The company also supplies flower arrangements for offices and private residences. Flora Etceteras expanded into foods & beverages with the opening of three wholly owned restaurants in Kuala Lumpur and a franchise with Tutti Frutti in Sungai Besar, Selangor. The founder and owner of Flora Etc is Hj Abd Razak Ahmad, who had extensive training and years of experience as a florist and event planner in Brunei, the United States and Korea before setting up base in Kuala Lumpur. Hj Abd Razak has gained numerous recognitions from clients in the corporate and private sectors as well as the royal houses in Malaysia and Brunei. Among the awards he received are the Prestasi Cemerlang Jaringan Usahawan PUNB from Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) in 2008, and Master of His Craft from Tatler Malaysia recently in 2013. Visit our website: floraetc.blogspot.com or contact us: Tel: 03-21668090 Fax: 03-21666090.