The Award

The Award

about the award

Established on 27 August 2007 through the collaborative efforts of PETRONAS and Shell

The Merdeka Award recognises and rewards excellent individuals and organisations, serving as a beacon for those who have not only contributed to the nation's growth but have also inspired greatness in the people of Malaysia in the categories of:

Outstanding Contribution to Education & Community
Outstanding Contribution to Environment & Planetary Health
Outstanding Contribution to Humanities, Arts & Sports
Outstanding Contribution to Science, Technology & Innovation
Outstanding Scholastic & Academic Achievement
Anugerah Khas Merdeka
Anugerah Harapan Merdeka

The Merdeka Award aims to promote thought leadership and innovation, foster a culture of excellence, encourage a world view, thereby enhancing Malaysia's standing as a dynamic, competitive 21st Century Global Player in all key sectors from science and technology to the arts.

The choice of name, Merdeka Award, reflects the Founding Members’ aim to commemorate the true spirit of independence, which transcends the conventional definition of independence. It explores the liberation of the mind and spirit – factors that foster the realisation of human potential and the pursuit of excellence.

Open for individual and organisations, the Merdeka Award aims to cultivate thought leadership and innovation, foster a culture of excellence and encourage a world view. In 2022, the Anugerah Harapan Merdeka was introduced as a new award category, recognising the endeavors of Malaysians aged 40 years old and below or Malaysian organisations with less than 10 years in inception in the areas of education and community, environment, health, science and technology and more.

the objective

Independence is indeed a milestone but it is only the threshold to high endeavour. I call upon you to dedicate yourselves, to work and strive with hand and brain to create a new nation.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj

Malaysia's First Prime Minister

The Merdeka Award commemorates the true spirit of independence which transcends the conventional definition of national sovereignty. It explores the liberation of the mind and spirit – factors which foster the realisation of human potential and the pursuit of excellence. The Merdeka Award aims at the encouragement of going beyond the ordinary and of stretching beyond comfort zones, aspiring to create a new mindset among Malaysians.

The Merdeka Award thus celebrates and rewards the independence of the mind and spirit, the strength of character and integrity that underpins meaningful achievement and the creativity and vision that enables greatness.

the categories

The biennial Merdeka Award will be conferred on individuals and organisations whose excellent work and achievements have made an outstanding impact on the nation and its people in the following categories:

Outstanding Contribution to Education & Community

Presented to the most deserving candidate whose significant, sustained, innovative and meaningful contributions or service in the field of education and/or community have made a lasting different to the lives of Malaysians and continue to benefit Malaysian society.

Outstanding Contribution to Environment & Planetary Health

Presented to the most deserving candidate whose significant and meaningful contributions, whether through research, management or practice, have advanced the safeguard, protection, restoration, conservation or enhancement of the environment and planetary health, creating lasting benefits for present and future generations.

Outstanding Contribution to Humanities, Arts & Sports

Presented to the most deserving candidate whose significant and meaningful contributions in the fields of the humanities, the arts and sports have enriched Malaysia’s cultural and social landscape. This category honours those whose outstanding achievements in music, literature, the visual and performing arts, fine arts or sports have advanced artistic and sporting excellence, strengthened Malaysia’s cultural identity, inspired generations of Malaysians, bringing distinction to the nation on the global stage.

Outstanding Contribution to Science, Technology & Innovation

Presented to the most deserving candidate whose meaningful and impactful contributions in the field of science, technology and innovation have advanced knowledge, driven discovery and fostered the innovative application of technology for the public good. This category honours achievements across research, scientific discovery and technological innovation that have created lasting value for Malaysia.

Outstanding Scholastic & Academic Achievement

Presented to the most deserving Malaysian whose outstanding scholarship and academic excellence have advanced the pursuit of knowledge and contributed to significant discoveries, whether pure, applied or emerging. This category honours scholars, researchers and academicians whose work, which may also cover the social sciences such as sociology, economics, history and geography, has shaped intellectual thought and advanced their respective disciplines.

Anugerah Khas Merdeka

Presented as a special honour to the most deserving candidate, Malaysian or international, whose extraordinary contributions have profoundly advanced Malaysia and enriched the lives of its people. This category recognises achievements of exceptional significance that have delivered lasting improvements to the nation’s well-being and quality of life, leaving an enduring legacy for generations to come.

Anugerah Harapan Merdeka

Recognises aspiring and promising young individuals and organisations whose excellence, innovation and impactful contributions have demonstrated exceptional potential to shape Malaysia’s future. This category honours emerging changemakers across Outstanding Contribution to Education & Community, Outstanding Contribution to Environment & Planetary Health, Outstanding Contribution to Humanities, Arts & Sports and Outstanding Contribution to Science, Technology & Innovation, whose achievements inspire progress and contribute meaningfully to the nation.

evaluation

Education & Community

Made an innovative and meaningful contribution or service of continued relevance in the field of education and/or community that benefits or improves the life of Malaysians or the Malaysian society and impact to sustainability.
Area of education include educational research, education benefiting a marginalised group or the elevation of the education level for a targeted group of people.

Environment

Made a significant, and meaningful contribution (whether in the field of research, management, or practice) for the safeguard, protection, restoration, conservation or enhancement of resources and the environment and impact to sustainability.
Achievement recognised must be for work done in five-year period preceding the conferment of the award unless deemed eligible by the Secretariat.

Health, Science and Technology

Made significant, meaningful and current contribution for the public good in health, science or technology field; research, healthcare support, discovery and innovative application of technology and impact to sustainability.
Achievement recognised must be for work done in five-year period preceding the conferment of the award unless deemed eligible by the Secretariat.

nomination & selection criteria

The Merdeka Award is given on the basis of the merit of achievement regardless of race, creed, gender, or ideology.

To be considered as a candidate, there are certain eligibility considerations to be fulfilled:

All Award categories, except for Anugerah Khas Merdeka Award category, are open solely to the citizens of Malaysia, whether residing in Malaysia or abroad, and any Malaysian institution or organisation. The Anugerah Khas Merdeka Award is also open to non-Malaysian citizens and/or non-Malaysian organisations.
All candidates must be living persons. An exception may be made only when the nominee's death occurs after the final award decision by the Board of Trustees.
Self-nominations will not be accepted or considered. Only candidates recommended in writing by the Nominators shall be considered for any Award category. All nominations must be accompanied by sufficient supporting documentation to allow for meaningful evaluation.

Upon meeting the eligibility criteria, the candidates are then subjected to a thorough nomination and selection process:

The Nominators

The Board of Trustees appoints 24 credible, competent, and knowledgeable individuals as Nominators for the Nomination and Selection Committees. Independent of the Founders and Trustees, they lend their insight and experience to the process.

Selection of Award Recipient

The Board of Trustees shall decide on the Award recipient for each of the Award categories from the list of recommended nominees. Any decision made by the Board of Trustees shall be deemed final.

Award judging CRITERIA

The judging criteria for this award are designed to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements and contributions across various fields. The evaluation process will consider the following key areas :-

1) Pioneering Spirit

The nominee has shown originality through innovation and novelty by introducing new or improved ideas, or by being different and unexpected in the arts, sciences, technology, education, academia, and the environment.

2) Impact and Significance

There is evidence that the nominee influences others' actions, opinions, or decisions at various levels and drives positive change through innovative ideas and insights. And/or

The nominee has significantly shaped policies, regulations, and demonstrated clear evidence of advocacy work. And/or
The nominee has advanced knowledge in their field and significantly contributed to society by addressing social issues and creating a positive impact.

3) Sustained Contribution

The nominee has demonstrated resilience, grit, and passion in improving society, protecting the environment, and contributing to the knowledge economy through research and academic activities.

4) Credibility

The nominee has a track record of excellence and achievement, including published academic papers, public works (exhibitions, performances), awards, media recognition, and patents. They have also led or organized events like bootcamps, workshops, and conferences, validating their contributions.

5) Leadership

The nominee has shown leadership and inspiration by collaborating to achieve shared goals and mentoring others in their field.

the Committee

Selection Committee

The Selection Committee shall comprise of five Nominators. Their objective and duty is to deliberate the merits of the candidates from the shortlist submitted by the various Nomination Committees and recommend a final list of nominees to the Board of Trustees.

Emeritus Professor Dr Ng Kwan Hoong

Dato' Kathleen Chew

Professor Dr. Abhimanyu Veerakumarasivam

Professor Tan Sri Dr. Ghauth Jasmon

Professor Dato' Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman

Nomination Committee

The Board of Trustees shall decide on the Award recipient for each of the Award categories from the list of recommended nominees. Any decision made by the Board of Trustees shall be deemed final.

Outstanding Contribution to Education & Community