| Lastawarded: | 2022 |
| Country: | Malaysia |
The Merdeka Award is a Malaysian award that recogni and celebrates the achievements and significant contributions of individuals to Malaysia and its people, within their respective fields.[1] The Royal Patron of the Merdeka Award Trust is the Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.[2]
The Merdeka Award was launched on 27 August 2007 in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the independence of Malaysia. It was founded by PETRONAS, ExxonMobil and Shell[3] companies.
The Merdeka Award is granted each year to individuals and organizations, regardless of nationality, who have demonstrated exceptional achievements contributing significantly to Malaysia in their respective fields. The accolade recognizes outstanding and enduring contributions to the nation.[4]
There are five award categories:
The Award is open to all living Malaysian citizens – individuals and organizations.
However, only non-citizens are eligible for the Outstanding Contribution to the People of Malaysia category, whilst the Outstanding Scholastic Achievement category is open only to individuals.
The nomination and selection process is an independent, objective and fair system administered by a Board of Trustees, Selection Committee and Nomination Committees.
Nomination Committee
The role is to identify, deliberate, shortlist and recommend candidates to the Selection Committee. There are five committees, one for each category. Each committee comprises three members, except for Education and Community, which has five members.
Selection Committee
The role is to deliberate the merits of the candidates put forward by the Nomination Committees and recommend shortlisted candidates to the Board. There are five members of the Selection Committee.
Merdeka Award Board of Trustees
The role is to make a final selection of the recipients. The decision must be unanimous with one award for each category, though there may not be recipients in every category each year. The Award can be shared by as many as two recipients. The Board comprises representatives of the founding members, as well as two independent members.
The winners are announced each year in the month of Merdeka in conjunction with Malaysia's Independence Day, with the Merdeka Award Ceremony taking place later in the year.
Education and Community
Royal Professor Ungku Abdul Aziz bin Ungku Abdul Hamid
For outstanding contribution to the eradication of poverty, rural economics and the development of Tabung Haji and in the field of Education
Environment
Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)
For outstanding contribution to the Belum-Temenggor Forest Complex Conservation Initiative
Health, Science and Technology
Nipah Virus Encephalitis Investigation Team from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya (Joint Recipient)
For outstanding contribution to the discovery and understanding of the causes, effects and control of the Nipah Encephalitis viral infection
and
Professor Emeritus Dato' Dr Khalid Kadir (Joint Recipient)
For outstanding contribution to the study and understanding of diabetes and the relationship between hormones and stresses in various tissues
Outstanding Contribution to the People of Malaysia
Datuk Leslie Davidson
For outstanding contribution in the introduction of the pollinating insects Elaedobius kamerunicus from Africa to the oil palm and plantations in Malaysia, leading to the rapid development of the palm oil industry
Education and Community
Tun Dr Fatimah Hashim (Joint Recipient)
For outstanding contribution to the empowerment of women in Malaysia and for protecting and securing rights and economic opportunities for women through advocacy
and
Dato’ Lim Phaik Gan (Joint Recipient)
For outstanding contribution to the empowerment of women in Malaysia and for protecting and securing rights and economic opportunities for women through advocacy
Health, Science and Technology
Professor Datuk Dr Halimaton Hamdan
For outstanding contribution to the development and application of Maerogel as a commercially viable multi-purpose material
Outstanding Scholastic Achievement
Dato’ Seri Ir Dr Zaini Ujang
For outstanding study and scholarly contributions in the various environmental initiatives concerning water supply, sewage, river rehabilitation and industrial ecology
Education and Community
Datin Paduka Mother A Mangalam A/P S Iyaswamy Iyer
For outstanding contribution in promoting the welfare of the underprivileged and for fostering national unity
Outstanding Scholastic Achievement
Academician Emeritus Professor Dr Yong Hoi Sen (Joint Recipient)
For outstanding contribution to the development of basic and applied knowledge of Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biological Systematics, Evolutionary Biology and Biological Diversity of Malaysia's flora and fauna
and
Distinguished Professor Dr Harith Ahmad (Joint Recipient)
For outstanding contribution in research and promoting the development of photonics in Malaysia
Outstanding Contribution to the People of Malaysia
Tan Sri Just Faaland
For outstanding contribution to the advocacy of equitable growth through eradication of poverty and reduction of socio-economic polarisation
Environment
Dato’ Dr Kenneth Yeang
For outstanding contribution to the development of design methods for the ecological design and planning of the built environment
Outstanding Scholastic Achievement
Professor Dato’ Dr Goh Khean Lee (Joint Recipient)
For outstanding contribution in elevating the study and practice of gastroenterology and hepatology in Malaysia to global standards
and
Professor Dr Mak Joon Wah (Joint Recipient)
For outstanding fundamental and applied research in parasitology and parasitic diseases, public health and pathology
Health, Science and Technology
Academician Tan Sri Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr. Augustine Ong Soon Hock
For outstanding contribution to the research and development of the chemistry and technology of palm oil, and for his significant role in advocating and promoting the Malaysian palm oil industry to the world
Outstanding Scholastic Achievement
Tan Sri Professor Dr Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas
For outstanding contribution to the scholarly research in the area of Islamisation of contemporary knowledge and Muslim education
Outstanding Contribution to the People of Malaysia
Dr. Engkik Soepadmo
For outstanding contribution to the research and conservation of Malaysia's forest plant diversity
Education and Community
Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Utama Arshad Ayub (Joint Recipient)
For outstanding contribution in shaping Malaysia's education landscape through the development of professional education, education reforms and innovation that have resulted in education becoming more accessible to Malaysians
and
Raja Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Utama Muhammad Alias Raja Muhammad Ali (Joint Recipient)
For outstanding contribution to rural development and rural reform through organizing successful land settlement projects (FELDA) for the many landless, rural population in Malaysia
Environment Category
Dr. Lim Boo Liat
For outstanding contribution to the conservation of Malaysia's biological diversity through the study, understanding and control of vector-borne diseases and the relationship between diseases and the environment; and for advocating the protection of Malaysia's natural heritage
Health, Science and Technology
Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Yahya Awang
For outstanding contribution to pioneering the development of clinical research and cardiac surgery in Malaysia, and for his instrumental role in the establishment of the National Heart Institute (IJN)
Outstanding Scholastic Achievement
Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Lam Sai Kit
For outstanding contribution to scholarly research and development in medical virology and emerging infectious diseases including dengue
Education and Community
Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid (Lat)
For outstanding contribution to the promotion and pluralism of Malaysia's cultural identity through the use of cartoons and for the promotion of understanding and respect among Malaysia's diverse ethnic communities
Environment
Mohd Khan Momin Khan
For outstanding contribution to wildlife research and conservation through the setting up of captive breeding centers, as well as for pioneering and successfully managing human-wildlife conflict in affected areas
Health, Science and Technology
Datuk Dr Choo Yuen May
For outstanding contribution to the development of novel, efficient and green processes for the palm-based industry through research and commercialization of various technologies
Outstanding Scholastic Achievement
Professor Dr Abdul Latif Ahmad (Joint Recipient)
For outstanding contribution to the scholarly research and development of technologies in the areas of polymer science, wastewater treatment and membrane separation technology
and
Professor Dr Ahmad Fauzi Ismail (Joint Recipient)
For outstanding contribution to scholarly research and development of technologies for commercialisation in membrane performance for both gas separation, and water and wastewater treatment
Outstanding Contribution to the People of Malaysia
Dato Sri Gathorne, Earl of Cranbrook
For outstanding contribution to pioneering research and conservation of Malaysia's forest biodiversity and the ecology and biology of Malaysian mammals and birds, and for advocating environmental conservation
Education and Community
Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood
For outstanding contribution to the development of humanitarian and international emergency relief.
Environment
Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Abdul Latiff Mohamad (Joint Recipient)
For outstanding contribution to the research and understanding of plant taxonomy and conservation biology in Malaysia.
and
Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid (Joint Recipient)
For outstanding contribution to the observation, analysis and assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services, fostering the remediation and protection of the natural environment and promoting environmental sustainability in Malaysia and globally.
Health, Science and Technology
Professor Datin Paduka Dr Khatijah Mohamad Yusoff
For outstanding contribution in the field of microbiology and virology through a better understanding and diagnosis of contagious and fatal viruses in poultry and the study of the potential of the virus in combating cancer cells.
Outstanding Scholastic Achievement
Professor Dr Ir Mohd Ali Hashim
For outstanding scholastic contribution in the research of separation processes and water and wastewater treatment and for his instrumental role in the setting-up of the Centre for Ionic Liquids.
Outstanding Contribution to the People of Malaysia
Dr Elizabeth Lesley Bennett
For outstanding contribution to the conservation and management of wetland habitats and that of endangered wildlife in Malaysia through research, advocacy and policies.
Education and Community
Tan Sri Lakshmanan Krishnan
For outstanding contribution to laying the foundation for the modern film industry in the country and for his instrumental role in developing early acting talents including Malaysian film icon the late P Ramlee.
Environment
Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor
For outstanding contribution to the conservation of the natural environment and forestry in Malaysia through his leadership role at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS).
Health, Science and Technology
Distinguished Professor Datuk Dr Looi Lai Meng
For outstanding contribution in pioneering research in amyloidosis, renal pathology and cancer pathology and for her significant contributions and role in promoting the field of pathology in Malaysia and the region.
Outstanding Scholastic Achievement
Professor Dato’ Ir Dr Wan Ramli Wan Daud
For outstanding scholarly research and development in advancing the technology of fuel cells and hydrogen energy in Malaysia and the region.
Each award category carries a cash prize of RM300,000 and comes with a trophy and an inscribed certificate.[15]
Logo & trophy design
The Merdeka Award Logo and Trophy was designed by Dato’ Johan Ariff, the Creative Director of Johan Design Associates, who also designed the PETRONAS logo in 1974.[16]
The trophy, a three-dimensional version of the logo was specially designed using Lapis Lazuli gemstone as its base, and combined with elements of gold, silver, Malaysian pewter and Malaysian hardwood, Chengal.[17]
An extension of the Merdeka Award, the Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment (MA Grant) was launched in April 2012 as a signature outreach programme by the Merdeka Award Trust.[18] The MA Grant enables recipients to participate in collaborative projects and/or programmes for up to three months, at selected internationally acclaimed institutions, corporations, agencies and organisations within the network of the Merdeka Award's three founding partners – PETRONAS, ExxonMobil and Shell.
The MA Grant is open to all qualified Malaysians between 22 and 35 years of age, who are able to demonstrate the Spirit of Merdeka within their areas of expertise.
Only two grants are awarded in each year to candidates within these disciplines:
The broad categories involved for the consideration of the MA Grant are:
Three steps are involved in the selection process:
Submission
Reviewed by the Merdeka Award Secretariat, all applications must be submitted together with an Attachment Proposal and Attachment Budget, outlining the proposed area of research, projected expenses, expected outcomes and benefits to Malaysia and her people.
Shortlist
Interviews are then conducted by the Selection Committee, represented by the representatives of the Human Resources Divisions at PETRONAS, ExxonMobil and Shell. Candidates are comprehensively evaluated based on various criteria including the quality of their proposal, relevance of proposed area of research, innovativeness in area and method of research, philosophy and commitment to community building, and public speaking, social and media skills.
Final Selection
Recommendations of outstanding candidates are made to the Merdeka Award Board of Trustees, which makes the final selection.
Dr Natrah Fatin Mohd Ikhsan
For research towards better microbial resource management for sustainable agriculture production
Assistant Professor Dr Abhimanyu Veerakumarasivam
For research towards excellence and sustainability in cancer genetics
Dr Kamalan Jeevaratnam
For research into cardiac cellular therapy via stem cells, in-vitro differentiation mechanism for cardiac stem cells for large scale production, and cellular cardiomyopathy therapy application
Dr Lim Hong Ngee
For research and development of a smart nanotechnology-based breast cancer testing scheme
Ms Chua Ling Ling
For research towards understanding how the gut microbiome (bacterial in the gut) interacts with the immune system and leads to the development of age-related illnesses and premature aging
Dr Mohd Sukor Su'ait
For research into fabrication of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) utilising Malaysian commodities such as rubber, palm and seaweeds as solid polymer electrolyte.
Dr Khamarrul Azahari Razak
For research that focuses on the various approaches of strengthening natural disaster research and promoting integrated university-government-industry partnership for managing and reducing disaster risks in changing environments.
Ms Koh Lily
For research on developing expertise and academic exchanges on innovative SME business models in encouraging Malaysian SMEs to effectively place themselves in the value chain. This is in light of Industry 4.0, an EU Commission initiative under the Horizon 2020 plan, which is part of the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.
The Merdeka Award Roundtables, a made-for-TV event that is carried on ASTRO Awani Channel 501, are a series of TV talk shows designed to inspire, debate and discuss key issues of interest to Malaysians.
First launched in August 2011, the Roundtables feature leading figures from Malaysia's corporate, academic and social spheres, coming together to discuss issues.
The Merdeka Award Thumbs-Up Challenge is an initiative organised by The Merdeka Award Trust, to create a platform for all Malaysians to share impactful and sustainable ideas based on select themes. The initiative encourages participants to contribute an idea that has been tested and is impactful. First launched in 2015, the Thumbs-Up Challenge recognises ideas from each themed Challenge and the best overall idea could be implemented on a larger scale through the Merdeka Award's wide network.