PETALING JAYA: In less than a month, funds for the Soo Ewe Jin Scholarship grew from RM50,000 to nearly RM300,000, thanks to generous donors and strong supporters of the late columnist.
Negri Sembilan-based property developer Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd is the latest donor to support the revolving fund with a sum of RM50,000.
This makes it the first corporate body to come forward with previous contributions made by individuals and a public university.
Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd chairman Datuk Mohamad Haslah Mohamad Amin said the move was in line with the company's long-term mission to support education.
"We fully support and applaud the initiative by The Star through the Soo Ewe Jin Scholarship, which is aimed at nurturing fresh talents in journalism," he said during a mock cheque presentation ceremony at Menara Star yesterday.
Also present were Matrix Concepts founder and group managing director Datuk Lee Tian Hock, group deputy managing director Ho Kong Soon and director Datuk K.N. Logendran.
Ewe Jin, 57, was The Star's executive editor. He was best known for his Sunday Starters column which touched the lives of many with its strong message of compassion, kindness and charity.
In November last year, he died after a long battle with cancer.
In his speech, Star Media Group managing director and CEO Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai admitted to missing Ewe Jin, whom he considers to be his friend and mentor.
"Usually around this time of the year, Ewe Jin and I would sit down and talk about preparations for the National Day and Malaysia Day coverage in line with our moderation message.
"Moderation has been our passionate concern, and we will work and plan three months ahead up until National Day on the kind of programmes, campaigns and issues we want to bring up to Malaysians.
"This particular year, I'm doing it alone. I wish I had people around me to share some of my burden," he said.
Wong added that Ewe Jin was a strong advocate for rationality and moderation, and hoped the scholarship could produce more journalists of his calibre.
Ewe Jin's widow Angeline Lim, who was also present, thanked Matrix Concepts for the contribution.
"I am really touched by their gesture and hope other corporations can consider contributing as well," she said.
The SEJ scholarship was set up on April 8, with the initial funds being donations collected from Ewe Jin's friends and supporters during his wake.
It is parked under the umbrella of Star Education Fund, as well as Yayasan Universiti Sains Malaysia, and will fund one student pursuing a Bachelor in Communication (Journalism) at USM every year.
Members of the public are invited to support this effort to nurture fresh talent in journalism by contributing to the Soo Ewe Jin Scholarship, via online bank transfer or cheques.
For online transfers, bank into USM's CIMB Bank Berhad account number 98986100800099 via Interbank GIRO transfer and then e-mail a copy of the deposit receipt together with your name, address and the amount donated to both yayasan@usm.my and sejscholarship@thestar.com.my.Contributions by cheque should be made out to Universiti Sains Malaysia. Write 'Soo Ewe Jin Scholarship' on the back of the cheque and send it to: Soo Ewe Jin Scholarship c/o The Star Education Fund, Menara Star, 15, Jalan 16/11, 46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Include your name, address and the amount donated so that a receipt may be issued to you by USM.
Donations qualify for tax exemptions. For enquiries, e-mail yayasan@usm.my or sejscholarship@thestar.com.my, or call Yayasan USM at 04-653 6761.
Source: RM50,000 boost for SEJ Scholarship
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