Allow me to begin by wishing our Muslim colleagues ‘Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri’. It is truly an honour to be the Honorary General Secretary of Malaysian Dental Association for second time running. My gratitude goes out to you for placing your confidence and support in me.

The Council of MDA accepted the resignation of our Secretarial Staff Miss Noorli Mohamed Nordin @ Elly effective 10th of August 2009. Miss Noorli @ Elly has been with us in the Secretariat for the past two years. We have employed two additional staffs namely Puan Normah and Cik Amaliena as Administration Assistant. We now have in total four staffs manning the Secretariat. On behalf of MDA, we welcome Pn Normah and Cik Amaliena, and would look forward to their dedicated contributions towards an efficient MDA Secretariat.

Two Council Meetings were held on 19th July 2009 and 2nd August 2009 respectively. The next meeting shall be held on October 2009 at the MDA Secretariat.

The MDA hosted a dinner cum meeting with Datin Dr Norain and two other officials of MoH on 12th of August 2009. An introduction of the new Council members and matters of bilateral interest was discussed. The Council of MDA is pleased to have a very cordial relationship with Ministry Of Health, Oral Health Division.

The MDA and Singapore Dental Association (SDA) working relationship has improved very much over the years and especially to the run up to the FDI 2009 where Singapore played the host nation. The MDA gave its full assistance to SDA President Lewis Lee in promoting the FDI event in Malaysia. SDA accorded members of MDA the same registration fee as their members and an extension to the early bird registration fee. MDA was given a booth space at the FDI Trade Exhibition to promote Malaysia as the next convention venue to the Asia Pacific Dental Congress in year 2013 and future MDA Scientific Convention in year 2010. Brochures and souvenirs of Malaysia were given out to delegates visiting the booth courtesy of Tourism Development Corporation.

The Annual World Dental Congress was held at the SunTec Convention Centre from 2nd to 5th of September, 2009. The event was well attended by about 30 MDA members and another 20 from the Dental Division of Ministry of Defence.

The MDA delegation was led by Chief Delegate Dr Lee Soon Boon, Alternate Delegate Dr How Kim Chuan and FDI National Liaison Officer Dr Haja Badrudeen. We participated in all business meetings of FDI namely the Open Fora I, II & III, General Assembly A and B, National Liaison Officers Forum and finally the APDF Delegates meeting. Members of MDA Council also attended meetings with Sri Lanka Dental Association, Chinese Stomatological Association, Medical Protection Society, Commonwealth Dental Association and members of Dental Trade Industry. In General Assembly B, member nations witnessed the installation of the new FDI President Dr Roberto Viena of Brazil succeeding Dr Burton Conrod of Canada.

Neck ties and Scarf embossed with MDA logo is up for sale to all members of MDA.

The tie is priced at RM 45/- each and the scarf is priced at RM 55/- each. Members who wish to purchase them may contact the Secretariat staff Mr Steve Lim or Miss Shanti.

Finally I look forward to your support in helping MDA serve its members better. My thanks to the President Dr. Lee Soon Boon and Immediate Past President Dr. S. Sivanesan for their guidance, and to the Secretariat staffs for their assistance.