Siti Hasmah, Kit Siang and Karpal get integrity award
SUBANG JAYA: Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali was among three people honoured with the Tan Chee Khoon Public Integrity Award for rising above the noise of partisan politics while leading a life of public integrity.
The other two were DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and the late party stalwart Karpal Singh.
Columnist and keynote speaker for the Oriental Hearts and Minds Society Institute’s (OHMSI) second Tan Sri Dr Tan Chee Khoon Lecture Series Mariam Mokhtar received the award on Dr Siti Hasmah’s behalf.
Karpal’s posthumous award was received by his wife Gurmit Kaur.
The Public Integrity Award was presented by Institutional Reforms Committee (IRC) member Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan here on Saturday night.
It was also carried out in light of the peaceful transition of the federal government on May 9 following the 14th General Election.
OHMSI founder and director Dr K.J. John said he first heard of the late Dr Tan as Mr Opposition in Parliament.
“I always regarded him as a great Malaysian for his ideals and his service in favour of the poor and marginalised.
“The Tan Sri Dr Tan Chee Khoon Lecture Series is where we invite credible Malaysians who lead a life of personal public integrity to speak up and teach us about the very concept of integrity,” he said in his speech.
Speaking at the Lecture Series, Mariam drew attention to the issue of education in Malaysia and how Dr Tan’s ideals could be used as a basis to living a life full of integrity.
“Today, education has been dumbed down in the name of race, religion and nation at the expense of integration and integrity but we can reverse the damage that has been done,” said Mariam.
“Only a transparent and accountable government will help foster national integration.”
Tan’s daughter, Prof Tan Poh Ling, said her father was a rare breed of politician who did not jockey for power or position.
“Throughout his public and professional life, he exhibited integrity, humility, a love for his friends and genuine concern for the underdog,” she said.