{
  "id": 5561289,
  "title": "Merdeka Awards for Nicol, Mercy Malaysia and 6 others",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/merdeka-awards-for-nicol-mercy-malaysia-and-6-others",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T13:14:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/09/04/merdeka-awards-for-nicol-mercy-malaysia-and-6-others"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 31, 2026, the 2026 Merdeka Award recipients were announced, honoring eight individuals for their exceptional contributions to Malaysia. Former world squash champion Nicol David and Mercy Malaysia were among the esteemed honourees. Nicol received the award for her outstanding achievements in humanities, arts, and sports, while Mercy Malaysia was recognized for its remarkable contributions to education and community service. Other recipients included national linguistic icon Emeritus Prof Asmah Omar for academic excellence, turtle conservationist Prof Chan Eng Heng for environmental and planetary health, and two-time Paralympic gold medallist and badminton player Cheah Liek Hou for the Merdeka Award for Hope. Three academicians were also acknowledged: Emeritus Prof Aini Ideris and Prof Emerita Asma Ismail for their contributions to science, technology, and innovation, and Prof Emeritus Omar Abdul Rahman for his lifelong dedication to advancing these fields in Malaysia. The awards were presented by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, who chairs the Merdeka Award trust. Nicol David expressed that the recognition surpassed anything she had accomplished in her sporting career, describing it as a moment far greater than her professional titles and numerous awards. Mercy Malaysia president Ahmad Faizal Perdaus emphasized that the award celebrated not only the organization's achievements over 27 years but also the collective spirit of service demonstrated by thousands of Malaysians, with Mercy Malaysia having conducted over 500 humanitarian missions in more than 35 countries since its establishment in 1999.",
  "summary": "Linguistics expert Asmah Omar, turtle conservationist Chan Eng Heng, Paralympic gold medallist Cheah Liek Hou and three academicians also receive the award.",
  "key_points": [
    "Nicol David honored for sports, arts, humanities excellence",
    "Mercy Malaysia recognized for education, community service",
    "Sultan Nazrin Shah presents awards to eight recipients"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Nicol David, MERCY Malaysia Among 2026 Merdeka Award Recipients",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/general-nicol-david-mercy-malaysia-among-2026-merdeka-award-recipients",
        "published": "2026-09-04T09:46:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Merdeka Awards for Nicol, Mercy Malaysia and 6 others",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/merdeka-awards-for-nicol-mercy-malaysia-and-6-others-5561309",
        "published": "2026-09-04T13:14:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}