Asean award for King Ghaz

KUALA LUMPUR: The late Tun Muhammad Ghazali Shafie (pic) will receive the inaugural Asean People’s Award.

Fondly known as King Ghaz, he was a respected diplomat, politician and civil servant who helped shape not only the country’s foreign policy, but was closely involved in the formation of Malaysia and the founding of Asean.

A diplomat extraordinaire, King Ghaz is remembered for helping bring an end to Indonesia’s Con­frontation and restoring diplomatic ties with Jakarta. He also negotiated the eventual surrender of the Communist Party of Malaya.

He spearheaded efforts to draft the Rukun Negara and formulate the New Economic Policy.

He is one of 10 people or organisations selected from each of Asean countries to receive the award. It is conferred on outstanding and inspi­ring organisations or personalities that have contributed significantly in Asean community building.

The recipients will each be awarded a financial grant of US$10,000 and a trophy.

The grant was given to recognise the contributions towards Asean community building, as well as to encourage them to continue their current activities to further contribute to the Asean community effort, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.

The awards will be presented during the opening ceremony of the 27th Asean Summit on Saturday.

King Ghaz was born in Kuala Lipis, Pahang and read law at the University College of Wales, Abery­stwyth. He also held a post-graduate certificate in International Studies from the London School of Econo­mics.

He served as a civil servant and was Wisma Putra secretary-general from 1959 to 1970.

King Ghaz then held several key positions in the Government as Minister with Special Functions, Information Minister, Home Mi­­nister and Foreign Minister before retiring in 1984. He died at the age of 88 on Jan 24, 2010.

Malaysia sent 15 nominations for the award.