Wellington UMNO Club

Southeast Asian Night Market is an event of culture whereby the Southeast Asian Nations participated and highlighted their culture through varieties of foods, souvenirs, games and dances. This year, the event was held in Wellington located at TSB Bank Arena, Queens Wharf on 16th August 2008. Opened to public at 2pm until 10pm, the event attracted thousands of visitors all over New Zealand. Six Southeast Asian nations participated; Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam –to bring this magical new event in partnership with Wellington City Council and Asia New Zealand Foundation. There were cultural performances, traditional games and stall providing delicious Southeast Asian snacks and souvenirs throughout the day.

Wellington UMNO Club participated in this event by opening a stall that sells variety of Malaysian snacks and beverages. The stall, named Warong Seroja intended to introduce Malaysian snacks to locals as well as a fundraising activity for charity purposes. Warong Seroja took up the name of “Warong” which is Stall in English and Seroja is known as one of the traditional flower in Malaysia. The stall located along with 5 other Malaysian stalls selling various Malaysian cuisines.

The foods sold by Warong Seroja were Nasi Beriyani, Kuih Keria, Cucur Udang, Cucur Pisang, Kek Batik and Sago Gula Melaka along with Soya and Sirap Laici drinks.Attracted visitors came and inquired a lot of cooking methods and materials of the foods.The committee then would sincerely respond and guaranteed that the foods were safe and of good quality. It was to ensure that Malaysian foods were all up to the local standard whether in preparing or serving purposes.

Our Warong Seroja closed at 9.45 pm as all the foods were sold by then. The committee packed up and leaves the place clean by 10.15pm. Thank you for all the supports and commitment for Warong Seroja and of course, the event itself.

The collaboration to organize the first ever inter-UMNO club rugby tournament between the Auckland and Wellington UMNO Clubs was held on the 3rd of July 2008 on the Polo Grounds in Miramar. The participating teams were from the Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch UMNO Clubs.

The day started with clouds adorning the sky and chilly winds leaving everyone trembling in dismay. The tournament began at 9am with each team going against the other two. Heavier rain began to pour but was ignored by the players going all out determined to win the tournament and spectators supporting their respective teams alike. Fortunately, the weather increasingly improved throughout the day as the players pushed on.

Spectators kept coming to rally support despite the unpredictable weather conditions. HE Dato’ Sopian Ahmad and wife came and saw the final round of tournament between Auckland and Wellington He later presented the medals to the champions of the UMNO New Zealand Rugby 10’s Tournament and recipient of the Dato’ Seri Wira Ali Rustam challenge trophy won by the team from Christchurch. Wellington grabbed the first runner-up title while the Auckland team was awarded the second runner-up placing perusing the event to an end at about 2pm. Congratulations to the winners and special thanks to all that attended the memorable event.