NewsSEARRP awarded prestigious Merdeka Award 2020 for exceptional and sustainable contributions to the Environment

December 11, 2020

 

Merdeka Award

SEARRP awarded the Merdeka Award 2020 for contributions to the Environment

SEARRP is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded with the prestigious Merdeka Award 2020 for our contributions to the field of Environment.

The Merdeka Award Trust (MAT) was established by PETRONAS, ExxonMobil and Shell on 27th August 2007 to recognise and reward excellent individuals and organisations whose works, and achievements have contributed to the nation’s growth and inspired
greatness in the people of Malaysia.

It is such a great honour for our programme to be recognised in this way. The Merdeka Award will be a huge source of pride for our staff, many of whom have been with us for decades. To have their work and dedication acknowledged through this distinguished award is wonderful.

Since SEARRP was established in 1985, we have been part of so many memorable moment – the formal protection of the pristine forests of our Danum Valley base in 1995; the visit to Danum of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2012; Sir David Attenborough in 2014 and, more recently, Dame Judi Dench in 2018. But the contribution our research has made to a better understanding and greater appreciation of the rainforests of Sabah, and by extension their protection, is SEARRP’s most important accomplishment and will form its enduring legacy.  Together with the incredible distinction of receiving this award, we hope that these accomplishments will raise the profile of Sabah and highlight the excellent science and conservation work being done here – which is genuinely world class.

We would like to extend our thanks to the Merdeka Awards Trust (MAT), the MAT Trustees, nominating and selection committees – and the staff of the MAT Secretariat.

For more information about Merdeka Award, please visit their website.