The awards were presented by Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah, who is also the trust’s royal patron and chairman (All photos: Merdeka Award)
All seven recipients of the 2024 Merdeka Award chalked up a first in their respective categories. Joint winners for Education & Community, Datuk Sri Dr Abdul Samad Said and Datuk Dr Faridah Merican, are the first laureates in Malay literature and the performing arts, respectively, since 2008.
Geologist Prof Dr Joy Jacqueline Pereira is the first woman to win under Environment while Emeritus Prof Jomo Kwame Sundram is the only laureate who has served in the United Nations for more than 10 years in the areas of economics, development and food security.
Nephrologist Tan Sri Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman, whose focus is public health, was lauded for medical excellence in his field. New Zealand’s Dr Kathryn Anne Rivai, who works to improve education access for underprivileged children in Sabah, was recognised for her contributions to the people of Malaysia.
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Investigative journalist Ian Yee Ngan Fui topped the Anugerah Harapan Merdeka category — for outstanding achievement of a Malaysian aged 40 years and below — for his multimedia documentaries and public action campaigns against social injustices.
Samad, 89, and Faridah, 85 next month, have been working in their respective fields for more than six decades. The 1985 National Laureate has produced short stories, poetry, plays, essays and letters since his first novel, Salina (1961) while actor, director and producer Faridah shaped Malaysian theatre in the 1960s and 1970s, mentored local talent and has driven artistic innovation in the performing arts.
For details on the other recipients, visit merdekaaward.my.
This article first appeared on Sept 9, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
