ADDRESS
BY
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS
SULTAN NAZRIN MUIZZUDDIN SHAH
ROYAL PATRON AND CHAIRMAN
OF THE MERDEKA AWARD TRUST
AT THE
2025 MERDEKA AWARD GRANT
FOR INTERNATIONAL ATTACHMENT
ANNOUNCEMENT AND PRESENTATION CEREMONY
DATE: FRIDAY, 29 AUGUST 2025, TIME: 3.00 PM
VENUE: MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR.
“National Unity: A Legacy to Be Protected”
1. One of Malaysia’s greatest strengths has always been our diversity. Yet diversity alone does not guarantee unity. It must be nurtured – with practical support, fierce celebration of originality, and a willingness to embrace change.
2. This careful nurturing is the daily work of nationhood in the 21st century. It means tackling false and divisive narratives and navigating the wider challenges of our ever-surprising digital landscape. It means inclusion that lives not only in slogans, but in respectful dialogue – online and offline – in meaningful connection, and in action. It is the shared responsibility of every generation, as we continue to define and uplift what it means to be Malaysian – rooted in empathy, fairness, and a spirit of shared destiny. We must continue to build a Malaysia in which people of all faiths and backgrounds can not only co-exist, but can also enrich and elevate each other with wisdom and compassion.
3. Our sense of nationhood must be conceived broadly: as a collective identity and a deep belief in the values that bind us together. For Malaysia, it has always meant acceptance of diversity, dignity, and mutual respect. The universal ideals of rights and equity. Alongside these foundations, we must also nurture a deep belief in our potential to change. Nationhood is not only inherited – it is renewed by season. National values are indeed deep, grounding roots, but we must not be afraid to shed and grow – new leaves, new flowers, new fruits – for new climates.
4. Each generation faces new challenges. And each carries enormous potential. Today, our task is to protect the spaces where Malaysians young and old can think critically, act boldly, and stand firmly for what is right. We must help the next generation hold fast to this proud network of roots, even as the storms of division and digital noise grow stronger. If we want a Malaysia that remains progressive – economically and socially – we need a Malaysian youth courageous enough to listen deeply and act with maturity. A generation inspired by truth, not distracted by cynicism. A generation that knows that loving this country does not mean ignoring its flaws, but working together to prune, protect and regrow. In doing so, they will celebrate our rich heritage, our fortitude, and our potential – carrying Malaysia forward and elevating our standing on the global stage.
5. And crucially, we must not just encourage, but provide practical support to bring all this diverse potential to the fore. It was in this spirit that the Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment was created. Since 2013, it has empowered young Malaysians, between the ages of 22 and 35, to design solutions that uplift communities, restore ecosystems, and boldly reimagine the future.
6. In just ten cycles, 33 remarkable Grantees have taken their work to more than 40 world-class institutions. They have represented Malaysia with distinction – and brought back knowledge, ideas, and insights to strengthen their communities at home.
7. This year, we take an important step forward. The award now embraces a new category: Humanities, Arts and Sports – joining our longstanding pillars of Education, Community and Environment, and Science, Technology and Innovation. This expansion reflects a broader vision of what it means to build a resilient and cohesive society. It recognises that culture, creativity and human expression are not peripheral branches, but the very soul of our national identity – the rings by which we mark and chronicle our progress. And so, we commit to growing our creative capital with the same conviction that we bring to science, to education, to innovation.
8. I am also proud to share that applications for the Grant have reached a new record high this year, surpassing 200 for the first time. This surge is not only a sign of growing interest. It is evidence of the Grant’s value: supporting global learning, interdisciplinary exploration, and purpose-driven work. Time and time again, applicants expressed their desire to serve a purpose greater than themselves: advancing climate action, inclusive development, cultural preservation, and community transformation. In doing so, they are not only building their own futures. They are building Malaysia’s future – and contributing to a prosperous future for us all to share.
So, ladies and gentlemen,
9. This brings us to the main purpose of this gathering today. I am delighted to announce the recipients of the 2025 Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment. Please join me in congratulating:
a. Dinesh Sangarran Ramachandram, who plans to further his work on Advancing Dementia Care in Malaysia through Culturally Sensitive Education and Practical Medication Tools.
b. Dr. Rasyidah Bt Rehir, who aims to expand her work on Transforming Medical Training through Body Donation and Advanced Cadaver Preservation.
c. Calvin Shee Yin Ming, who wants to further his research on Exploring the Microbiome of Pitcher Plants to serve as Natural Compounds for New Antibiotics.
d. Keisheni Ganeson, who wants to further her work on Developing a Smart, Biodegradable Microneedle Patch made with Butterfly Pea to treat Wounds.
e. Nur Hafizah Annezah Bt Utuh, who plans to further her research on DNA-Guided Heart Medication for Personalised Treatment to improve outcomes for Heart Disease Patients.
10. This Award offers Grantees far more than access to world-class institutions. It opens doors to collaboration across borders, dialogue across disciplines, and mentorship across generations – all essential for tackling the complex challenges of our time.
11. The past ten cycles are more than a number. They mark a journey that has unfolded alongside one of the most defining decades in human history. From 2013 to 2025, we have weathered pandemics and floods, disinformation and division, and a planet under increasing strain. In this era of uncertainty – referred to by some as a ‘poly-crisis’ – the Merdeka Award Grant has stood for something constant: a touchstone for clarity, hope, and unwavering belief. A belief in young Malaysians leading with knowledge, with empathy, and with purpose.
12. The 33 exceptional Grantees we have supported so far are each a bud amid shaken branches – bringing fresh life where others saw barrenness. Their work in education, in science and technology, in health and medicine, in environment and climate resilience, and in arts and culture, has shown us that our national identity is indeed like that great tree: rooted in heritage, enriched by many voices, unified by an ecosystem both diverse and cohesive, and becoming ever more resilient in a rhythm of renewal and regrowth.
13. I look to the uncertain future with certain confidence, and with that unwavering belief. I believe Malaysia will be reimagined, rewired, and reignited by changemakers such as these – including many of you gathered here today. Let us all be inspired by today’s celebrated cohort.
14. And to you, our newest Grantees: may this moment mark the beginning of the next stage in your journey. This Award represents a nation standing with you, and with your purpose. May your contributions to Malaysia and beyond continue to drive and uplift us. And may your bright legacy bear fruit that will nourish the changemakers who will follow.