{
  "id": 5538650,
  "title": "Nicol David among eight honoured with 2026 Merdeka Award",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/nicol-david-among-eight-honoured-with-2026-merdeka-award",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T09:57:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1525739/nicol-david-among-eight-honoured-2026-merdeka-award"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: The 2026 Merdeka Award honoured eight Malaysians and organisations for their humanitarian work, conservation efforts, scientific contributions, and sports achievements. Petronas CEO Tengku Tan Sri Muhammad Taufik emphasized the award's spirit of Merdeka, recognizing individuals and groups who have positively impacted Malaysia and improved lives. The laureates' achievements, he noted, demonstrated that transformative contributions often come from ordinary people driven by extraordinary missions. The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, presented the awards, which were awarded by the Sultan of Perak and the Merdeka Award Trust. Mercy Malaysia was honored for its emergency humanitarian assistance and relief in Malaysia and over 35 countries. Professor Dr Chan Eng Heng received the Outstanding Contribution to Environment & Planetary Health award for her work in turtle conservation. Datuk Nicol Ann David was recognized for her role in boosting Malaysia's squash profile and inspiring youth through empowerment. Prof Datin Paduka Setia Datuk Dr Aini Ideris and Prof Datuk Dr Asma Ismail jointly received the Science, Technology & Innovation award for advancements in veterinary innovations and higher education. Linguist Datuk Dr Asmah Omar was awarded for her efforts in preserving Malaysia's linguistic heritage, while Dr Omar Abdul Rahman was given the Anugerah Khas Merdeka for his influence on Malaysia's science, technology, and innovation sector. Cheah was honored for elevating Malaysia's standing in global para-badminton and inspiring persons with disabilities. This year's recipients bring the total recognized by the Merdeka Award to 78 since its start in 2008.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Eight Malaysians and organisations whose work spans humanitarian relief, conservation, science, academia and sports have been named recipients of the 2026 Merdeka Award.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}