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Rumah
Amal Chesire Selangor (RACS) was set up on the initiative
of a group of expatriates and their wives who worked
in Kuala Lumpur at that time.
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The
idea was first mooted in 1961 by Mrs. Collins, whose
husband was an engineer with Telecoms and so made the
suggestion to Puan Sadiah Sardon (later Toh Puan), the
wife of the then Minister of Works, Post and Telecommunications,
Encik (Tun) Sardon Jubir. Soon, with her other friends,
Mr. and Mrs Marjoribanks and Mr. and Mrs. B.E. Wilkinson,
Mrs. Collins formed a committee to look into the viability
of the project
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They
communicated their interest to Chesire who then asked
Colonel Nigel Watson to conduct a feasibility study
on the project based on the Colonel’s expertise
of South East Asia.
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At first the idea was
to obtain land and build the Home, but there was an
urgent need for it and it would be quicker to buy
the house that was already built on the land belonging
to Selayang Tin. The Manager of Selayang Tin, Mr.
Taylor, a friend of the Marjoribanks, offered the
house for approximately $12,000.
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The
six-acre land belonging to the Selangor Government cost
$8,000. As the land seemed too big for the requirements
of the Home at that time, the committee decided to acquire
three acres of it and paid $4000 for a 33-years lease.
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The
first five residents to the Home in December 1963. Upon
their registration, London Chesire sent 1000 pounds
(100 from a friend of Captain Chesire).
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By
May 1964 the Home with 12 residents was officially opened
by Her Royal Highness Tengku Ampuan Rahimah binti Almarhum
Sultan Abdul Aziz who became its patron. The Home was
named Rumah Amal Chesire and the historic occasion was
attended by Group Captain Leonard Chesire.
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Toh
Puan Sadiah was appointed first President of the Home.
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