On Saturday, March 19th 2005, in the country of Malaysia, over 13,000 people came together to raise money for those impacted by the Asian Tsunami which rocked our world on December 26th 2004.

A rock concert at Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil inspired a pool of stars to perform at The Force of Nature.

Among the 13,000 guests in attendance were the country's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Information Minister Datuk Paduka Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir and director and trustee of the Force of Nature Foundation, Kamaluddin Abdullah Badawi.

The goal of the foundation and the artists in attendance: To do their part in the campaign to educate and empower people throughout the world with the belief that every individual can make a difference in the long-term aid to tsunami-affected countries.

The Backstreet Boys were one group who wowed the crowd.

Other artists included:

The Black Eyed Peas

Boyz II Men

Wyclef Jean

Lauren Hill

American Idol finalist Clay Aiken

Aiken, who joined American Idol judge, Paula Abdul in Malaysia to entertain the crowd said:

I just returned from Aceh and I can tell you first hand that the emergency workers deserve our respect and admiration for their sacrifices and lives they saved.

American Idol judge, Paula Abdul was one of the surprise celebrity guests.

Before the concert, Abdul revealed to reporters that her favorite contestant this year is Anwar Robinson.

She said she regarded the twenty-five year-old music teacher from East Orange, New Jersey as "da voice" in the contest.

"He's the best," she said.

At the Malaysian concert last night, Abdul shared the stage with Clay Aiken, last year's American Idol runner-up. Perhaps next year, she and Robinson will use their celebrity status to do good things for the world.

Other surprise appearances on Saturday night included:

Actor Alan Cumming and actress Bai Ling

Actor Ken Watanabe

Indonesian songstress Ruth Sahanaya

Magician David Blaine

Actor Nick Stahl from the HBO hit TV Series Carnivale

Joey Fatone from pop group N Sync

Former Baywatch star Carmen Electra.

Local Malaysian artists Sheila Majid, Innuendo, Dayang Nurfaizah and Anuar Zain performed five songs among them.

Majid says, "I am a force of nature." This was the rallying cry

The highlight of the concert was the reunion of Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill.

The former members of the Fugees performed three songs from their "previous life" repertoire -- 'Oh La La La', 'Ready or Not' and 'Killing Me Softly'.

Force of Nature Foundation special ambassador Tan Sri Razali Ismail said after the first act:

Force of Nature' is a phrase to remind us about the power of the human spirit and this evening is dedicated to the spirit that brought everyone to Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil.

Tan Sri Razali Ismail and all those who came together proved that the Force of Nature is a force to be reckoned with.

Saturday night's concert was the first time in Malaysia's history that a pool of celebrities came from all over the world to benefit Asia's tsunami victims.

The concert raised more than its target collection of RM10 million.

Proceeds from the concert will be used for relief efforts.

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "force of nature" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegant Living