Ainua 2014: Recognition for those who promotes unity and national integration

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Council of Befrienders Malaysia will be one of 10 winners of the Usman Awang National Integration Award (Ainua) 2014 which recognises those who are instrumental in strengthening national unity and integration.
It will be among the three winners in the "Salam Benua" awards category with the other two being International Movement for a Just World secretary-general Anas Zubedy and Spastic Children's Association of Selangor and Federal Territory president Datuk Dr Lam Peng Chong alias Lam Phar.
They will each receive RM30,000, a trophy and certificate of appreciation from Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup at the award ceremony to be held at Berjaya Times Square Hotel here on Dec 14.
The winners were announced by Usman Awang Foundation (YUA) panel chief Dr Syed Husin Ali at a press conference here today. YUA and the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) are jointly organising the event.
Syed Husin said the other two categories are the "Merpati Putih" (with each winner receiving RM10,000 and a certificate) and the special award.
The winners of the "Merpati Putih" award are Pergerakan Pemuda Malaysia; Tan Sri Dr Yahaya Ibrahim, a major contributor to the country's education system; Subramaniam Karupayah, Lumat Dadi, and Lim Thein Pin. Jamaluddin Mat Ali and Gan Leong Piow will receive the special award.
Syed Husin said Huazong president Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka director-general Datuk Dr Awang Sariyan would also be present at the award ceremony.