“Independence is indeed a milestone, but it is only the threshold to high endeavour.”
Those words belong to Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, and they sit at the heart of the Merdeka Award’s purpose. His call did not end with independence itself; he asked Malaysians to keep working “with hand and brain to create a new nation.” [1]
Independence gave Malaysia the freedom to determine its own future. What came after was the longer, quieter task of building it.
On 27 August 2007, fifty years after independence, the Merdeka Award Trust was established to recognise individuals and organisations whose work had contributed significantly to Malaysia and its people. When the first Awards were presented in 2008, the recipients were already tackling very different parts of that nation-building process.
Royal Professor Ungku Abdul Aziz Ungku Abdul Hamid was honoured for decades spent on poverty, rural economics and education. The Nipah Virus Encephalitis Investigation Team was recognised for containing a deadly disease. The Malaysian Nature Society was honoured for its conservation efforts at the Belum-Temenggor Forest Complex.
By 2026, the Merdeka Award had reached its 16th cycle. With eight more recipients honoured in September 2026, the Award has now recognised 78 individuals and organisations since its inception.
Malaysia’s landscape has changed over the years, and so have the categories through which the Award recognises contributions to the nation. Yet the work of building the nation continues. By revisiting the story of how the Award began, we are reminded that every generation has a part to play in shaping the Malaysia of tomorrow.
The Work That Comes After Independence
For the Merdeka Award, independence has always meant more than national sovereignty. The Trust describes the “Spirit of Merdeka” as the liberation of mind and spirit that allows people to realise their potential, challenge what already exists and pursue excellence[1].
That pursuit of excellence isn’t just about a single breakthrough, but it’s about the perseverance to see an idea through, year after year, until it becomes something lasting. The Award is spread across seven categories, from science and technology to the arts, covering the full range of work that has built Malaysia over the decades.
What It Takes To Build A Nation
This year, the Outstanding Contribution to Education & Community category went to MERCY Malaysia, recognised for humanitarian and relief work across Malaysia and more than 35 countries.
Protecting what already exists matters just as much as building what’s new. The Environment & Planetary Health category went to Professor Dr Chan Eng Heng, honoured for decades spent protecting Malaysia’s turtle populations and advancing marine conservation.
Progress is also measured in the advancement of knowledge to solve problems. The Science, Technology & Innovation category recognises work that turns research and new ideas into improvements in people’s lives.
This year, the Award recognised the joint recipients, Academician Emeritus Professor Datin Paduka Setia Dato’ Dr Aini Ideris and Academician Professor Emerita Datuk Dr Asma Ismail, for their contribution through veterinary innovation, food security, scientific research and higher education.
The Outstanding Scholastic & Academic Achievement went to Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Hajah Asmah Haji Omar, honoured for a lifetime spent documenting and advancing Malaysia’s linguistic heritage.
My hope is that other indigenous languages will progress in the same way as Iban, so that none in our linguistic heritage will meet a silent death. – Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Hajah Asmah Haji Omar, 2026 Merdeka Award recipient
Nation-building is also about how a country understands itself and what its people believe they can achieve. Datuk Nicol Ann David was recognised under the Humanities, Arts & Sports category for carrying Malaysian squash to the world stage and using that platform to inspire the next generation.
The Anugerah Khas Merdeka, reserved for contributions of wider national significance, went to Academician Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Datuk Dr Omar Abdul Rahman for his role in shaping Malaysia’s science, technology and innovation landscape.
And not all national impact has to come at the end of a long career.
Introduced in 2022, the Anugerah Harapan Merdeka recognises younger Malaysians and younger organisations whose contributions are still growing. Its 2026 recipient is para-badminton champion, Cheah Liek Hou.
Put together, the categories show how wide the work of nation-building really is. It needs people and communities, a healthy environment, knowledge and innovation, culture and identity, strong institutions and another generation ready to continue the work.
Marks Of A Nation Builder
Receiving the Merdeka Award is not simply about having an impressive career. Candidates are assessed on pioneering spirit, impact and significance, sustained contribution, credibility and leadership. The focus is on whether the work has made an outstanding and lasting contribution to Malaysia and its people.
The Merdeka Award honours individuals and organisations whose contributions have strengthened our nation and enriched its people. – Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of PETRONAS and Member of the Merdeka Award Trust Board of Trustees
He also highlighted perseverance through challenges and a strong sense of purpose as qualities that help create lasting progress.
Behind that recognition is a multi-stage process involving Nomination Committees, a five-member Selection Committee and the Board of Trustees. The final decision must be unanimous.
Almost two decades of the Merdeka Award show that nation-building has never belonged to one profession or one generation. It can happen through research, conservation, humanitarian work, education, culture, sport or years spent building systems that allow others to progress.
What remains true is the belief that excellence coupled with endurance creates lasting impact.
Explore Our Sources:
1. Merdeka Award. About The Award. Link.
