“If you believe in something, hold on to it and keep moving and pushing. Never give up, even if it is difficult.”
Dr Jemilah Mahmood dedicated her life to humanitarian missions
Humanitarian icon Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, first-ever Malaysian recipient of the prestigious Asean Prize
“IF you believe in something, hold on to it and keep moving and pushing. Never give up, even if it is difficult.”
These are the words that Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood lives by and hopes others would too when striving to achieve their dreams.
The Mercy Malaysia founder was conferred the prestigious Asean Prize 2019 yesterday.
The Asean Prize recognises contributions by individuals or organisations with regard to inculcating the spirit and identity of the Asean region towards the development of an Asean community by 2025.
Dr Jemilah, who is under secretary-general (partnerships) at the Geneva-based International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, is the first Malaysian to be awarded the prize, which was introduced last year at the Asean Summit in Singapore.
In true humanitarian fashion, she has decided to donate the prize money of US$20,000 to the Surin Pitsuwan Foundation and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, equally.
Speaking to the New Straits
Times while on her way to Mozambique to survey the ground relief efforts after Cyclone Idai, Dr Jemilah attributed her success to her late parents, Mahmood Hussein and Zainab Abdullah, who she said brought her up the right way and instilled in her good values.
She said her first “humanitarian experience” was the May 13, 1969 race riots, one of the darkest days in Malaysian history.
“During that time, my parents would pack food for me to deliver to our neighbours. Because I was small, I could go through the monsoon drains and send food to our neighbours, who were of different races and religions.
“I grew up in this environment. Our home was always open to people.
“We used to have 10 to 20 people sleeping in our hall every day.
“My parents would feed them and help them find jobs.
“I think deep down, I’ve always been trained to do so.”
A mother of two, Dr Jemilah said she was grateful to her previous colleagues, teams, partners, friends and family, who had been supportive of her work.
“I have been fortunate to be married to a man who believes that I should be an empowered leader and given the freedom to lead.
“My husband is a fantastic cheerleader along with my children.”
She said she was privileged to have been mentored by “amazing people”, among them the late Surin Pitsuwan, former Asean secretarygeneral and Thailand foreign minister.
“They believed I could keep challenging myself and meet the potential they saw in me.
“It was never easy as a Muslim woman to be in this challenging field.
“It’s a combination of many things.
“Good family, good support, friends, partners, mentors and most of all, good colleagues and followers made this journey possible.”
On her childhood, Dr Jemilah, who is the youngest of seven, said she grew up in a family that was charitable and kind, which put in place many of the value systems she upholds until now.
Coming from a mixed parentage (her father is Malay and mother, Chinese), Dr Jemilah said she was exposed to diversity of faith, and taught many different things that make Malaysia what it is today.
She said after losing her father at 11, her mother had to work to support the family.
“She didn’t have much education, so she became an entrepreneur. Nonetheless, she managed to put us all through university, thus making us very strong, resilient and very open to taking on challenges.”
On how can more Malaysians be encouraged to take up volunteerism and serve others, Dr Jemilah said it should be nurtured from a young age.
“It has to start from young. I was born to parents who were volunteers and went to a school that taught self-sacrifice and doing good to others through charity.
“I have tried to do the same with my children and young people that I meet.
“On the other hand, I believe that there has to be some incentives as well.
“When we were in school, it was very common for us to get involved in voluntary work and it is something we need to encourage in our education system.”
Dr Jemilah said she aimed to form a movement or platform where Malaysia and other Asian countries could come together and show that humanity and solidarity were a global phenomenon and not restricted to large western organisations.
She hoped that her journey would inspire other women to follow suit.
“As women, we can achieve a lot.
“But men need to play roles to support their women to be in this field, as well as take up some challenges.
“I keep asking myself, who are the people that can easily fit into my shoes once I step down and I am sure they are all there.
“I would love to be able to rattle off a number of names because there are so many of them.
“I believe I need to inspire more women to take up some important issues; be it on development or humanitarian work.
“Women have a special niche for this, we are empathetic leaders and can do well.”
On what’s next for her, Dr Jemilah said it was time to get closer to home.
“I turn 60 at the end of this year and plan to return next year, InshaAllah.
“I would like to rest for a few months because I don’t think I have had proper rest for 20 years.
“I then plan to help the Surin Pitsuwan Foundation stand on its own feet before starting to write my stories or teach.”
It’s a combination of many things. Good family, good support, friends, partners, mentors and most of all, good colleagues and followers made this journey possible.
TAN SRI DR JEMILAH MAHMOOD
Asean Prize 2019 recipient