The event started at 5pm, and early arrivals had the chance to snap a selfie or two by the swanky BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport display unit set up at the hotel’s lobby entrance exclusively for this event. They were later greeted on Level 24 with beautifully crafted canapés by The Silver Monkey and speciality Johnnie Walker Blue Label cocktails whipped up on the spot by a bartender.

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Glasses of Minuty Prestige Rosé were also served throughout the evening, pairing well with The Silver Monkey’s decadent four-course dinner. While enjoying welcome drinks, guests mingled and snapped photos at Sun Life Malaysia’s cheerful custom-designed booth near the main entrance.

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Fun fact: Five of the 19 Front & Female Awards nominees were dressed in Cartier jewellery and watches for the evening, with stellar pieces like the Clash de Cartier rings and the Panthère de Cartier gold watch spotted on stylish ladies like Amanda Nell Eu, Professor Datin Paduka Dr Teo Soo-Hwang, Abir Abdul Rahim and others.     

The evening officially started on a strong note with an opening speech from our keynote speaker for the evening, former Women, Family and Community Development Minister Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. She spoke candidly about her experience as a female politician in the male-dominated political sphere, balking the myth that women must become more like men in order to succeed in these spaces. After her speech, a video introducing this year’s nominees was played as the first course of dinner was served. 

The evening came to a memorable highlight as the six winners were unveiled, starting with Abir Abdul Rahim for the Business Leader Award presented by BMW Malaysia. Next up, the Financial Empowerment Award by Sun Life Malaysia was presented by Sun Life Malaysia Deputy CEO Ho Teck Seng to MADCash founder and CEO Nuraizah Shamsul Baharin.

Sisters In Islam executive director Rozana Isa, Biji-biji Initiative CEO Juliana Adam, Cancer Research Malaysia’s Professor Datin Paduka Dr Teo Soo-Hwang and award-winning Tiger Stripes filmmaker Amanda Nell Eu were subsequently invited on stage as well to receive their custom-made Cosentino trophies, to several rounds of applause from the crowd. The evening closed with a power-packed performance by renowned songstress Dasha Logan as guests mingled over dessert and drinks before adjourning for the night. 

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