First Malaysian to win the ASEAN Prize

The ASEAN Prize is a regional premier award that recognises inspiring achievements of ASEAN citizens or ASEAN organisations that has contributed significantly towards community-building efforts in ASEAN. Founded in 2018, the ASEAN Prize is awarded for the second time. The recipient of the ASEAN Prize wins the ASEAN Prize Trophy as well as cash-prize of USD20,000. The prize is presented at the annual ASEAN Summit. The winner of ASEAN Prize 2018, Ms Erlinda Uy Koe from the Philippines has been at the forefront of family-centric autism advocacy for 21 years. This year, MERCY Malaysia founder, Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood has led various humanitarian missions and disaster management in the region. Tan Sri Dr Jemilah, who is an obstetrician and gynaecologist founded MERCY Malaysia in 1999. MERCY Malaysia is a humanitarian organisation that provides emergency healthcare in more than 15 countries facing disasters and conflict. Dr Jemilah also headed the humanitarian branch of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in New York from 2009 to 2011, focusing on reproductive healthcare, gender-based violence and population data in emergencies. Since January 2016, she has served as Under Secretary General for Partnerships at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. With her vast experience and involvement in humanitarian missions and disaster management, Dr Jemilah is indeed the person who deserves this recognition. FaveKad congratulates Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood on winning this prestigious award.