Nusti with a beautiful smile after surgery

November 26, 2002 (Tuesday) – It was a different sight for all who knew nine-year old Nusti Bte. Lim at the Penang Bayan Lepas International Airport. Nusti was returning to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on an Air Asia flight after successfully undergoing a cleft lip repair at the Penang Adventist Hospital by Dr Danny Oh, a plastic surgeon who returned from the United States to help complete Nusti’s smile.

After a final examination, Dr Oh commented, "It looks like a great success and we must repeat it."

Air Asia Penang team together with Nusti and her father before heading home.

Nusti traveled with her father, Lim Bin. Sulindod, 40, to Penang from their small village of Bambangan in Sabah, made possible through sponsorship of free flights by Air Asia.

Nusti was born with a congenital defect known as a cleft lip. A student of the Bambangan Seventh Day Adventist Primary School, Nusti walks eight kilometers to and from school every day. The determined little girl is amongst the top two in her class.

Comments En. Eddrazhe, an Air Asia spokesperson, "Air Asia is proud to be a partner in this charity programme."

Air Asia Penang team together with Nusti and her father before heading home.

Nusti’s parents who are both farmers never expected their child to look normal. Soon after her surgery, Lim said, "I am so happy that Nusti is recovering."

Both father and child returned home to Sabah on November 26. Though he says his initial reaction was a sense of fear when he heard that medical staff and private donors at Penang Adventist Hospital team would help Nusti. He agreed to have her come to Penang when he was told of the successes other people had with cleft lip repairs previously.

Sending her off at Penang Bayan Lepas International Airport were Penang Adventist Hospital staff as well as representatives from Air Asia, such as regional manager Roslee Hj. Yahya who accompanied the duo to their gates. Air Asia staff, Eddrazhe met them at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.