KUALA LUMPUR: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) Koh Mei Lee was conferred the prestigious French Honour of Knight (Chevalier) award for her immense contributions in promoting French arts, music and culture through movies and film festivals for almost two decades.
The award that carries the title of Knight of France’s National Order of Merit, the second highest decoration in the country, was presented to Koh by Ambassador of France to Malaysia, Roland Galharague at a simple ceremony held at the Aurum Theatre, the Gardens Mall here Tuesday night.
“It is an honour to be placed in such distinguished ranks amongst other honourees before, all of whom have contributed to the advancement and development of French culture in their respective fields.
“It is the result of many parties coming together including my team at GSC and the embassy of France in Malaysia, among others, to promote French culture through cinema, and I look forward to continuing our journey together,” she said at the event.
The award recognises Koh’s tireless commitment to the development and proliferation of French culture in Malaysia through cinema, as well as her continuous efforts to support the screening of French movies as part of the annual Le French Festival through GSC.
Her journey with the embassy of France in Malaysia and Alliance Francaise, the official and largest language institution for French in Malaysia, began as early as 2002 when she joined GSC as its CEO.
With a passion for French film, food, and culture, she was instrumental in propelling the French Art and Film Festival, which had only just started the year before she joined (2001) and her continuous dedication effectively laid the groundwork for other embassies to host similar festivals of their own.
Created in 1963 by General Charles de Gaulle, France’s National Order of Merit, the second national order after Legion of Honour, awards French citizens as well as foreign nationals for their distinguished achievements in all fields.- Bernama
