DPM: Nation’s strength built on quality of people

PUTRAJAYA: The strength of a nation is built around the quality of its people, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said yesterday at the Asia HRD (Human Resources Development) Awards 2017.

He said high achievers inspired people and inspired people would raise the performance bar.

“They set new standards, new benchmarks, move people to aspire for things once considered impossible,” he said, adding that high achievers embraced the value of learning every day.

“They make learning a way of life. Success is not just the crowning moment or raising the flag on the summit.

“It is the process of reaching for a goal and sometimes, it begins with failure. The only limit to our realisation of tomorrow is our doubts of today.”

Role models, he said, showcased their success with their commitment to learning in a world that was changing every minute.

“There are hundreds, if not thousands, of role models among us who need to be recognised for the many little things that they did to make the world a better place.”

The Asia HRD Awards is a celebration and recognition of those who contribute to people development, whether it is to the human resource profession, an organisation, community or society.

Among the recipients were Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Five were presented the Contribution to Society award — Higher Education director-general Datin Paduka Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia board of directors’ chairman Professor Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, former Philippine ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali and Sri Balaji Society president Professor (Colonel) A. Balasubramaniam.

Other awards presented were the Contribution to Organisation award, the Contribution to HR Community award and the Movers and Shakers award.

The awards were presented by Zahid.