2010 EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OUTSTANDING SCHOLASTIC Datin Paduka Mother A Mangalam ACHIEVEMENT For her outstanding contribution Professor Emeritus Dr Yong Hoi Sen in promoting the welfare of the For his outstanding contribution to underprivileged and for fostering national the development of basic and applied unity. knowledge of Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biological Systematics, Evolutionary Biology and Biological Diversity of Malaysian flora and fauna. OUTSTANDING SCHOLASTIC OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO ACHIEVEMENT THE PEOPLE OF MALAYSIA Distingushed Professor Datuk Dr The Late Tan Sri Just Faaland Harith Ahmad For his outstanding contribution to the For his outstanding contribution in advocacy of equitable growth through research and promoting the development eradication of poverty and reduction of of photonics in Malaysia. socio-economic polarisation. MERDEKA AWARD 2020 50
2011 ENVIRONMENT OUTSTANDING SCHOLASTIC Dato’ Dr Kenneth Yeang ACHIEVEMENT Professor Dato’ Dr Goh Khean Lee For his outstanding contribution to the (Joint Recipient) development of design methods for the For his outstanding contribution in ecological design and planning of the built elevating the study and practice of environment. gastroenterology and hepatology in Malaysia to global standards. OUTSTANDING SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT Professor Dr Mak Joon Wah (Joint Recipient) For his outstanding fundamental and applied research in parasitology and parasitic diseases, public health and pathology. 51 MERDEKA AWARD 2020
2012 HEALTH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OUTSTANDING SCHOLASTIC Academician Tan Sri Emeritus ACHIEVEMENT Professor Datuk Dr Augustine Ong Tan Sri Professor Dr Syed Muhammad Soon Hock Naquib al-Attas For his outstanding contribution to the research and development of the For his outstanding contribution to chemistry and technology of palm oil and the scholarly research in the area of for his significant role in advocating and Islamisation of contemporary knowledge promoting the Malaysian palm oil industry and of Muslim education. to the world. OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE PEOPLE OF MALAYSIA Dr Engkik Soepadmo For his outstanding contribution to the research and conservation of Malaysia’s forest plant diversity. MERDEKA AWARD 2020 52
2013 EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Utama Arshad Ayub Raja Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Utama (Joint Recipeint) Muhammad Alias Raja Muhammad Ali (Joint Recipeint) For his outstanding contribution in shaping Malaysia’s education landscape through For his outstanding contribution to rural the development of professional education, development and rural reform through education reforms and innovation that organising successful land settlement have resulted in education becoming more projects (FELDA) for the many landless, accessible to Malaysians. rural population in Malaysia. ENVIRONMENT HEALTH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OUTSTANDING SCHOLASTIC The Late Dr Lim Boo Liat Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Yahya Awang ACHIEVEMENT For his outstanding contribution to the Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Lam conservation of Malaysia’s biological For his outstanding contribution to Sai Kit diversity through the study, understanding pioneering the development of clinical and control of vector-borne diseases and research and cardiac surgery in Malaysia For his outstanding contribution to the relationship between diseases and and for his instrumental role in the scholarly research and development in the environment; and for advocating the establishment of the National Heart medical virology and emerging infectious protection of our natural heritage. Institute (IJN). diseases including dengue. 53 MERDEKA AWARD 2020
2014 EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENT HEALTH, SCIENCE AND COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid Mohd Khan Momin Khan Datuk Dr Choo Yuen May (Lat) For his outstanding For her outstanding For his outstanding contribution to wildlife contribution to the contribution to the promotion research and conservation development of novel, efficient and pluralism of Malaysia’s through the setting up of and green processes for the cultural identity through the captive breeding centres as palm-based industry through use of cartoons and for the well as for pioneering and research and commercialisation promotion of understanding successfully managing the of various technologies. and respect among Malaysia’s human-wildlife conflict in diverse ethnic communities. affected areas. OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING SCHOLASTIC SCHOLASTIC CONTRIBUTION TO THE ACHIEVEMENT ACHIEVEMENT PEOPLE OF MALAYSIA Professor Dr Abdul Latif Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Dato Sri Gathorne, Earl of Ahmad Fauzi Ismail Cranbrook For his outstanding contribution to the scholarly For his outstanding For his outstanding research and development of contribution to the contribution in pioneering technologies in the areas of scholarly research and research and conservation of polymer science, wastewater development of technologies Malaysia’s forest biodiversity treatment and membrane for commercialisation in and the ecology and biology separation technology. membrane performance for of Malaysian mammals and both gas separation, and water birds, and for advocating and wastewater treatment. environmental conservation. MERDEKA AWARD 2020 54
2015 EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY Emeritus Professor Dato’ Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Dr Abdul Latiff Mohamad Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid Mahmood (Joint Recipient) (Joint Recipient) For her outstanding contribution to the For his outstanding For his outstanding development of humanitarian contribution to the research contribution to the and international emergency and understanding of plant observation, analysis and relief. taxonomy and conservation assessment of biodiversity biology in Malaysia. and ecosystem services, fostering the remediation and protection of the natural environment and promoting environmental sustainability in Malaysia and globally. HEALTH, SCIENCE AND OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING TECHNOLOGY SCHOLASTIC CONTRIBUTION TO THE ACHIEVEMENT PEOPLE OF MALAYSIA Professor Datin Paduka Dr Khatijah Mohamad Yusoff Professor Dr Ir Mohd Ali Dr Elizabeth Lesley For her outstanding Hashim Bennett contribution in the field of microbiology and For his outstanding scholastic For her outstanding virology through a better contribution in the research contribution to the understanding and diagnosis of separation processes conservation and of the contagious and fatal and water and wastewater management of wetland viruses in poultry and the treatment and for his habitats and that of study of the potential of the instrumental role in the endangered wildlife in virus in combating cancer cells. setting-up of the Centre for Malaysia through research, Ionic Liquids. advocacy and policies. 55 MERDEKA AWARD 2020
2016 EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT Tan Sri Lakshmanan Krishnan Academician Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor For outstanding contribution to laying the For outstanding contribution to wildlife foundation for the modern film industry in and forest conservation in Malaysia and the country and for his instrumental role in the region through fieldwork, education, developing early acting talents including advocacy, policy and international Malaysian film icon the late P Ramlee. cooperation. HEALTH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OUTSTANDING SCHOLASTIC Distinguished Professor Datuk Dr ACHIEVEMENT Looi Lai Meng Professor Dato’ Ir Dr Wan Ramli Wan For outstanding contribution in Daud pioneering research in amyloidosis, renal pathology and cancer pathology and for For outstanding scholarly research and her significant contributions and role development in advancing the technology in promoting the field of pathology in of fuel cells and hydrogen energy in Malaysia and the region. Malaysia and the region. MERDEKA AWARD 2020 56
2017 EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENT HEALTH, SCIENCE AND COMMUNITY Dato’ Seri Tengku Dr TECHNOLOGY Dato’ Dr Abdul Halim Zainal Adlin Bin Tengku Dr Timothy William Ismail Mahamood (Joint Recipient) For outstanding contribution and his pivotal role in For outstanding contribution For outstanding contribution establishing the first Islamic to wildlife and forest to the effective treatment of a Bank in Malaysia, which led to conservation in Malaysia and new cause of human malaria, the development and growth the region through fieldwork, Plasmodium knowlesi. The of the Nation and region’s education, advocacy, policy discovery has changed the way Islamic banking, insurance and and international cooperation. this infection is managed in finance sectors. the country and globally. HEALTH, SCIENCE AND OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING TECHNOLOGY SCHOLASTIC CONTRIBUTION TO THE ACHIEVEMENT PEOPLE OF MALAYSIA Professor Dr Balbir Singh Mohan Singh Professor Dr Masjuki Haji Professor Dr Anthony (Joint Recipient) Hassan Crothers Milner For outstanding contribution For outstanding scholarly For outstanding contribution to the discovery and research in engineering to research and education pioneering work on a new and energy science and for in Malaysian history that has cause of human malaria, his instrumental role in the shaped and promoted the Plasmodium knowlesi. The research and development understanding of the Nation’s discovery of this potentially of biofuel and other sources identity, heritage and culture, fatal zoonotic disease has of efficient energy and and for his role in fostering changed the understanding of automotive engines. international collaborations. malaria and the way infections are treated in the country and globally. 57 MERDEKA AWARD 2020
2018 EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENT HEALTH, SCIENCE AND COMMUNITY Engr Gurmit Singh K S TECHNOLOGY Hassan Abdul Muthalib Professor Dato’ Dr Mohd For his outstanding For Hair Bejo For outstanding contribution outstanding contribution (Joint Recipient) as the pioneer and earliest through his activism, advocacy influence in the local works and leadership role in For outstanding contribution animation world through his the promotion of sustainable and instrumental role in folktale-inspired works and his environment and combatting advancing efforts towards leadership role in developing climate change in Malaysia. sustainable food production educational framework through the development and on artistic importance of commercialisation of chicken animation in the country. disease vaccines in treating Gumboro disease that benefits poultry industry in Malaysia and internationally. HEALTH, SCIENCE AND OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING TECHNOLOGY SCHOLASTIC SCHOLASTIC CONTRIBUTION TO THE Dato’ Professor Dr Gan ACHIEVEMENT ACHIEVEMENT PEOPLE OF MALAYSIA Ee Kiang (Joint Recipient) The Late Emeritus Distinguished Professor Dr Andrew James Eavis Professor Tan Sri Datuk Dr Rajah Rasiah For outstanding contribution Khoo Kay Kim (Joint Recipient) For outstanding contribution in his pioneering work in (Joint Recipient) For outstanding contribution in his pioneering works in developing a successful For outstanding in his scholarly research and the areas of geomorphology exemplary commercial contribution to the scholarly development of theoretical and cave survey through model for R&D for Malaysia’s research, development of macroeconomic framework in the Mulu Cave Projects with universities, and through his reinterpretation of Malaysian the promotion of sustainable Royal Geographical Society extensive work and leadership history and lifetime dedication development, by pioneering Expedition, and the discovery role in the fields of clinical in the history education in the the conceptualisation, of the Sarawak Chamber, pharmacology, pharmaceutical country that has shaped the measurement and application leading to extended research sciences and drug-related post-independence study of of innovation theory and the on rainforest habitats and research in the country. history in modern Malaysia. framing of innovation policy ecosystem, and establishing for developing countries. international collaborations for scientific and nature expeditions. MERDEKA AWARD 2020 58
Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment 59 MERDEKA AWARD 2020
About The Grant The Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment recipients for 2019 alongside MAT Board of Trustees and representatives The Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment the Merdeka Award by infusing thought leadership was launched in 2011. and innovation, fostering a culture of excellence and encouraging a global outlook among young Malaysians The Grant is designed for qualified and deserving for the future. young Malaysians, between the ages 22-35, to engage in short-term collaborative projects or programmes at MERDEKA AWARD 2020 60 an internationally-recognised host institution in select disciplines (education, arts, sports, community/social work, environment, health, science and technology). Grantees will have the unique opportunity to colaborate with other academics and researchers in their field of interest in order to build on their body of work and achievements. The value of The Merdeka Award Grant goes far beyond numbers in its goal of investing in Malaysians for the benefit of Malaysia. The Grant extends the goal of
Merdeka Award Grant Past Recipients 2013 Associate Professor Dr Natrah Fatin Mohd Dr Abhimanyu A/L Ikhsan Veerakumarasivam Understanding molecular Identification of molecular microbial ecology towards markers for the diagnosis, sustainable agriculture prognosis and therapy of production bladder cancer through greater molecular understanding of the disease 2014 Dr Kamalan Jeevaratnam Dr Lim Hong Ngee Mechanistic insight for Nanotechnology-based cardiac cellular therapy blood testing to identify using stem cells breast cancer 61 MERDEKA AWARD 2020
Merdeka Award Grant Past Recipients 2015 Ms Chua Ling Ling Dr Mohd Sukor Su’ait Association between Advanced Energy gut microbiome Conversion And Storage dysbiosis (changes in gut Material From Malaysian microbiome) with systemic Palm Oil Industries immune activation, inflammation and early onset of age-related diseases in HIV infected individuals 2016 Dr Khamarrul Azahari Ms Koh Lily Razak How Small and Medium The Power of Knowledge: Enterprises’ (SMEs) can How Prepared Are We For strategically position Disaster – The Malaysia themselves in the value Context chain in the midst of Industry 4.0 MERDEKA AWARD 2020 62
Merdeka Award Grant Past Recipients 2017 Shahar A/L Koyok Dr Sophia Rasheeqa Ismail Dr Zetty Norhana Balia Mechanistic insight for Lipidomics Profiling Yusof cardiac cellular therapy and Risk of Early-Onset The Potential of Malaysian using stem cells Myocardial Infarction Seaweeds as the Source of Antifungal Compounds for Application in the Oil Palm Industry 2018 Dr Ong Wee Jun Aishah Bte Ismail Dr Lee Tian Khoon Solar Energy Conversion Stroke Prediction Converting Rubber Material and Energy Storage to Biomarker through ocular for Advanced Energy Address the Seriousness blood flow using Laser Storage and Conversion of Energy Security and Speckle Flowgraphy Environmental Issues by Mimicking the Ingenuity if Nature 63 MERDEKA AWARD 2020
Merdeka Award Grant Past Recipients 2019 Chrishen R. Gomez Feng Ying Xing Dr Mohd Azri Ab Rani Conservation Genetics Prognosticating Work Batteries for Future; The Research Fellowship for Productivity, Stress Level Birth of Na+ Batteries Development of Long-term and Workload Capacity Genetics Study of Sunda through fNIRS Brain Clouded Leopard (Neofelis Haemodynamic Signal Diardi) and Sympatric Measuremen Carnivores Juliana Ooi Sue May Dr. Yanny Marliana Baba Safeguarding our Future Ismail Generation through Smart Material that Speed Empowering Young Parents Up Bone Healing in Reproductive and Social Health Education MERDEKA AWARD 2020 64
65 MERDEKA AWARD 2020
The Logo and Trophy Designed by Dato’ Johan Ariff, the trophy is a three dimensional version of the Merdeka Award logo. It expresses convergence and ascension, the same qualities celebrated in the achievements of the Merdeka Award winners. The trophy also represents environmental concerns in the form of a plant shoot Rebung, transparency, ethics, and the glorious six decades of Malaysian independence. Dato’ Johan Ariff After serving in the Ministry of Information, Dato’ Johan Ariff set up his Design Practice in 1974, when PETRONAS logo was also concieved. Though multidisciplinary, his Practice is largely involved in Corporate Identity commissions. Some of his works are in the permanent collection of the World Trademark Centre, Belgium. He has executed and supervised the largest logo portfolio in the country. MERDEKA AWARD 2020 66
Merdeka Award Trust Founders 67 MERDEKA AWARD 2020
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