DJ Dave honored for philanthropy and unity contributions

Datuk Irwan Shah Abdullah, widely known as DJ Dave, the distinguished Malaysian singer and songwriter, continues to be a beacon of national harmony and unity with his recent philanthropic gestures and a special recognition from the Rotary Club Ara Damansara (RCAD).

In a generous move, DJ Dave donated RM10,000 to five religious organizations, showcasing his commitment to fostering unity among Malaysia’s diverse communities. The beneficiaries included a mosque, a church-managed charity, a Buddhist temple, a Hindu temple, and a Sikh gurdwara. As a token of appreciation, RENN Asia Wellness presented him with a heart health package valued at over RM20,000.

RCAD acknowledged DJ Dave’s exceptional contribution to the unity project by bestowing upon him a Special Award. This recognition comes on the heels of his earlier Special Award at the club’s 7th inauguration and dinner event. DJ Dave played a pivotal role in the creation of the patriotic song ‘Setia Perpaduan,’ a musical endeavor that involved 13 artists singing in various languages, symbolizing Malaysia’s multicultural harmony. The Unity Award from RCAD further commended DJ Dave’s significant role in the project, inspired and approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

National Unity Anthem

The award ceremony, held during RCAD’s seventh dinner event, celebrated DJ Dave’s contributions to the national unity song project. ‘Setia Perpaduan’ was launched as the theme song for National Unity Week by Al-Sultan Abdullah in Kuching, Sarawak, on May 21 last year. DJ Dave expressed his pride and sense of responsibility in being chosen by the Agong to create a unity-themed song, underscoring the challenges of bringing together artists from different ethnicities to represent the unity among Malaysians.

The Rotary Club Ara Damansara extended their gratitude for DJ Dave’s unexpected contribution, highlighting his crucial role in the creation of ‘Setia Perpaduan.’ RCAD President, David Cheah Yik Qin, expressed appreciation to RENN Asia Wellness for their support and praised DJ Dave’s efforts in leading the national unity song project. CEO of RENN Asia Wellness, Jonathan Chew, commended DJ Dave’s remarkable contributions and rewarded him with a premium heart health package, including arterial stiffness analysis, DNA profiling, and a year of EECP treatment, along with a specialized health team.

DJ Dave expressed pride and hoped to inspire others to lead harmonious lives as true Malaysians. At 76 years old, DJ Dave, with a career spanning 51 years, remains dedicated to his advocacy for unity through music. Serving as the Chairman of the National Artists Welfare Foundation (YKAT), he reiterated his commitment to safeguarding the interests and welfare of local artists.