TASEK PAUH blogspot

KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (the Star)- The Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix Fantasy Gala 2007 saw guests, all dressed to the nines, mingling with high society in the lead up to the race at the Sepang F1 Circuit this weekend.

Dignitaries, socialites and local celebrities decked in designer outfits and fine jewellery began strolling into the prettily decorated foyer of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre grand ballroom by 7pm.

VIPs included the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and Federal Territories Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique.

Other illustrious names on the guest list included F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, Ferrari CEO Jean Todt, divas Ruth Sahanaya from Indonesia and Datuk Siti Nurhaliza as well as Miss World 2000 Priyanka Chopra. The principles and drivers of the various teams were also present.

It was learnt that the drivers came by KLIA Ekspres from KL International Airport to KL Sentral, where they switched to the Kelana Jaya line (formerly Putra-LRT) light rail transit to KLCC.

Following cocktails, dinner was served in the ballroom, which was decked in black, blue, gray and silver, complete with decorations of mythical icons.

Sahanaya and Siti entertained the guests with a few English numbers. The crowd was also dazzled by an impressive performance by master illusionist Peter May who made a Petronas F1 car appear on stage.

As the finale, guests adjourned to the concert hall for a stunning performance by multiple Grammy and American Award-winning group Earth, Wind and Fire.

All proceeds from last night’s table and concert ticket sales would be donated to Yayasan Tuanku Nur Zahirah, a charity body headed by the Queen to aid the under-privileged in Terengganu.

Christie’s also conducted an auction during the dinner to raise funds for other charitable causes.