KUALA LUMPUR: As an appreciation to the legacy and leadership of Tun Dr. Ismail Al-Haj, the Unity Government has agreed to introduce the Tun Dr. Ismail Al-Haj Award for Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said, the award is recognition to the statesman who is considered as the pillar of unity and had leaned on racial integration.
“This effort and recognition is to give way to the future generation of youths and successors to get inspired by the contribution of the nation’s hero and the amazing statesman especially in unity and racial integration aspects.
“Hopefully this award will lead to more research in several fields including socio-economy, administration and nationalism could be discussed,” Anwar said in a statement here today.
Meanwhile earlier today (Wednesday) Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah urged all Malaysians especially leaders, to appreciate and emulate the exemplary leadership and statesmanship of the late Tun Dr. Ismail Abdul Rahman.
“His Majesty regarded Tun Dr. Ismail as an irreplaceable statesman and as the main figure in promoting national unity and playing crucial role in strengthening harmony among the people of diverse races and religion, especially after the racial riots of 1969,” said Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara, Major General Datuk Zahari Mohd. Ariffin in a statement today.
In the statement, His Majesty said, throughout Tun Dr. Ismail’s tenure as the Deputy Prime Minister and as a Cabinet Minister he had shown the character of an outstanding leader with high integrity and always prepared to contribute for the nation.
The statement added, His Majesty has also appreciated and welcomed the government’s initiative especially the Ministry of Communications and Digital in organising the programme today (2nd Aug.2023) to commemorate the good deeds of Allahyarham Tun Dr. Ismail in conjunction with the celebration of the National Month 2023. – Malaysia World News
