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27/8/2007
PRIME MINISTER LAUNCHES THE MERDEKA AWARD
Prime Minister Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today launched the Merdeka Award, established to recognise and reward individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions for the advancement of Malaysia and its people.
The Award, initiated by PETRONAS, ExxonMobil and Shell as the Founding Members, aims to be the most prestigious award in the country that specifically celebrates, honours and rewards excellence. It will be positioned in the long term to have the same stature, standing and sustainability as other regionally and internationally acclaimed award programmes.
In setting up the Award, the co-founders aspire to recognise and reward excellence in five different categories: Education and Community; Health, Science and Technology; Environment; Outstanding Scholastic Achievement; and Outstanding Contribution to the People of Malaysia.
Each Award category carries a cash prize of RM300,000 and comes with a trophy and a certificate. Winners will be selected from a list of nominees on an annual basis. The first recipients will be honoured in August of next year.
PETRONAS, ExxonMobil and Shell have set up a RM50 million Trust Fund for the Award.
The Award is open to all living Malaysian citizens. However, non-citizens may also be eligible for the Outstanding Contribution to the People of Malaysia category. The Award is also open to institutions or organisations except in the Outstanding Scholastic Achievement category.
The Award, launched in conjunction with Malaysia's Golden Jubilee, is so named not only in commemoration of the country's 50th year of independence, but more importantly to celebrate the true spirit of independence that drives exceptional individuals to push boundaries in their pursuit of excellence.
The Award reflects a commitment by the oil and gas industry, which has long played a key role in Malaysia's nation-building efforts, to continue to be a major contributor to the development of the country and its people.
The Prime Minister, who is also the patron of the Award, was accompanied at the launch by President and CEO of PETRONAS Tan Sri Dato Sri Mohd Hassan Marican, Chairman of ExxonMobil Subsidiaries in Malaysia Mr. Liam M. Mallon and Chairman of Shell Malaysia Dato' Saw Choo Boon.
Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican said: "Nation-building is a process that forces us to continuously go beyond the familiar and push the boundaries of excellence, and the oil and gas industry is proud to have been part of the nation's growth and development.
"The coming together of PETRONAS, ExxonMobil and Shell in presenting this Award reaffirms the industry's commitment to continue to be an integral component of the nation's journey, and the Award seeks to recognise individuals who epitomise the same kind of commitment for the greater good of Malaysia."
Mr. Liam Mallon, who shared Tan Sri Mohd Hassan's sentiment, added: "ExxonMobil has been operating in Malaysia for close to 115 years. During this time, we have journeyed with Malaysia through many phases of nationhood.
'We are extremely proud of our association with the country and of the role we have played in participating in Malaysia's energy industry. It is in this spirit that we are supporting the Merdeka Award that will recognise the outstanding contributions by Malaysians and non-Malaysians to the well-being of Malaysian society."
Dato' Saw Choo Boon said: "Over 116 years of history and presence in Malaysia, Shell Malaysia is proudest of the last 50 years, over which our story has been one in parallel to Malaysia's own growth and development.
"Successes that we now enjoy can be traced to the thoughts, dreams and actions of individuals. The time has come to recognise that Malaysia has exceptional individuals in almost every field, paving the way for following generations."
The Award complements and reinforces existing corporate social responsibility efforts championed by PETRONAS, ExxonMobil and Shell in the country, all of which have a strong foundation of nurturing human capability towards achieving excellence.
The launch of the Merdeka Award was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and was attended by prominent Malaysians and individuals who have made significant and important contributions towards the development of Malaysia.
Issued by:
The Founding Members The Merdeka Award 27 August 2007
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