Golden Palm Tree International Dance Championship 2010 (GPTIDC).

Speech by Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development

Good evening. I am delighted to be here for the inaugural Golden Palm Tree International Dance Championship 2010 (GPTIDC). This championship is the brainchild of two dance enthusiasts working closely with Malaysia’s newest five-star beach front property and Kuala Lumpur’s nearest beach getaway – Sepang Gold Coast’s Golden Palm Tree Resort.

This international event will see dancers from different countries blazing the floor in competitive ballroom dances like

Salsa and Argentine Tango. It is also one of the very few international ballroom dance events in Malaysia. Competing for honours are participants from Asia, England, Italy, Russia and China.

May I welcome all participants to Malaysia, engaging in friendly competition to celebrate the birth of the Golden Palm Tree International Dance Championship 2010. The Golden Palm Tree Sea Villas & Spa, a brand new iconic tourism lifestyle and family destination in Selangor and Malaysia, is an ideal place to promote such a dance championship.

The Golden Palm Tree Sea Villas & Spa is actively promoting itself, both locally and internationally, as the ideal vacation spot in line with our Prime Minister’s 1Malaysia aspiration and core value of integrating various races and nationalities. I’m honoured to be part of this international dance championship, promoting dancing as a sport for family and community development.

The Golden Palm Tree Sea Villa & Spa, sprawling on the Sepang coastline of the Straits of Malacca, brings together two great nations - Malaysia and China. The two countries’ relationship has, over the years, developed into a modern 21^st century bond of cultural ties and business. With its abundant natural beauty, rich local cultural diversity, family-friendly activities, the Golden Palm Tree Sea Villa & Spa offers holidaymakers the highest level of luxurious villa accommodation. Its unrivalled hospitality on the back of breathtaking views of natural and pristine mangrove forests and the Straits of Malacca make it a whole new experience for relaxation.

Lastly, we recognize the potential of ballroom dance to enhance family relationship, especially between husband and wife. This kind of exercise should be extended to the younger generation as a positive community activity.

I wish the organiser and Golden Palm Tree every success on their maiden International Dance Championship. To all present, welcome to natural luxury near the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the Golden Palm Tree Sea Villa & Spa.

Once again, my CONGRATULATIONS to the organiser Ms Aleena and Ms Rosalind, and Golden Palm Tree.

Thank you.