Yesterday night was a memorable night for me. I have the opportunity to attend an official award presentation ceremony which is the prestigious Golden Bull Awards(GBA) 2005, held in the Merdeka Hall of Putra Word Trade Center (PWTC). It had been held for the 3rd consecutive year, and its purpose is to honor and acknowledge 111 Small-Medium Enterprises (SME) for their outstanding performances in various business fields. The event main sponsored is Nanyang Siang Pau. I went there with my dad based on invitation from a close friend of my dad, who was among the top 10 winners of the Golden Bull Award.
Upon reaching the place at 7PM, the hall was already packed with people in suits and ties. The atmosphere of the place was at the grand-est level (well, at least for me because it’s my 1st time attending an official function). CEO’s, Directors, Managing directors, Managers were everywhere in the hall. My dad friend’s company, Hextar Chemicals Sdn Bhd clinched 6th placing out of the 111 SMEs that were awarded the Golden Bull award. It was a proud moment for them as I can see the smiles on the faces of all award winners.
At 7.50PM, we were ushered in the hall, and the first highlight of the night was an welcoming act by the hitting of Malay kompang, Chinese drums and Indian Damroo (instruments played during Thaipusam, where it is hung on the shoulder while it is being hit). It was a splendid performance, with the synchronization of all 3 different instruments. The guest of honor for the night is the Minister of Housing and Local Government, Yang Berhormat (YB) Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, which is also MCA president. After acknowledging the arrival of YB Datuk Seri, the emcees for the night took on stage and introduce us to all the VIP’s who attended the ceremony, among others the chairman of Nanyang Siang Pau, Organizing chairman of GBA 2005, etc…etc…There was an introduction about the history and significance of the GDB projected on the big screen, just that it is not the wide screen type like those in the cinema.
After the arrival of the VIP’s, dinner was served. While we were enjoying our course, there were performances depicting the five elements of nature, Metal, Water, Fire, Wood, and Earth. Each element was portrayed through a dance and a rendition of two songs. It was a totally different concept altogether, from metal, to earth. I have strong thoughts that those performers came from Istana Budaya. Hmmmm…
After the performances and the dinner, there came the time for speeches…. First on stage was the OC for the event, then came the chairman of Nanyang Siang Pau, then some CEO made it on stage, and last but not least, YB Datuk Seri went up and gave his motivational and inspirational speech. He spoke in English, then went on relating his experiences in mandarin, where according to him, during his recent trip to China with the DPM, he went and visit a multinational company there, and what amazed him was that the officers there spoke to him in English,, though he was a Chinese and they were in China. He continued saying that globalization has taken effect, and he urges all SMEs to work hard and to compete in international market. A short content of his speach is found here, as reported by The Star. I was encouraged by his speech, and was motivated further when he challenged all SME award winners to be listed on the main board of KLSE.
Then after that, the main highlight of the night began. A total of one hundred and one(111) companies, represented by their respective directors and CEO’s received their Golden Bull Award for excellence from YB Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, who was guest of honor at the event. It was indeed a joyous moment for the award recipients, with the broad smiles across their face; with hundreds of camera lights flashing towards the stage; with dozens of lights shining everywhere; with music blasting away; with the sound of applauses reverberating in the hall; with the air conditioning so cold (hehehe) ….wow… I wish I was one of them on stage too (Perasan ya??)
After everything was over, it’s already 11.30PM. the moment the emcee said good night, everybody run to their respective company’s head for a photo session. The place, which was already packed when we were sitting, became even ‘pack-ier’ with people moving around, and some climbing on chairs to grab a shot. We headed to the exit, and after shooting a few shots with my dad’s friend, we head back home, and sleep happily ever after… J
The End
