MALAYSIAN PM'S WIFE TO GIRL GUIDES, BE PROACTIVE IN LINE WITH CURRENT NEEDS

KUANTAN (Malaysia), March 28 (Bernama) -- The prime minister's wife, Datin Rosmah Mansor, wants the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia to be more proactive in providing assistance to those affected by disasters.

Rosmah, who is the association's president, said the association should move swiftly and come up with plans in line with current needs so that their presence would always be felt.

"I've been suggesting that the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia come out of their shell and embark on a paradigm shift.

"This requires members to embark on an attitude change, from being reactive to proactive, from being merely a follower to a trend-setter, so that we can have a work standard that is progressive, improving, systematic and efficient," she said when opening the Pahang Girl Guides Association's general meeting here Sunday.

Rosmah said the association's initiative, in collaboration with Maybank, to set up a fund recently for the Japan's tsunami and earthquake victims, was a proactive effort in line with current needs.

"So far the association has collected RM300,000. This noble effort reflects our commitment in helping to ease the burdens of others," she said.

She also launched the "Brickathon" programme, a fund-raising initiative for the association's building in the state.

"In view of the number of members in Pahang, which has reached 9,000, the new building will further smoothen the association's administration and management in the state," she said.

Present was Pahang Girl Guides Association President Tengku Puan Pahang, Tengku Azizah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Iskandar.