I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to the Chairman and Trustees of the Magsaysay Award Foundation for having bestowed upon me such a great honor. As an employee of the Government of Malaysia, I believe that this honor properly belongs to the government. When I joined the Malaysian Civil Service in 1958 I was told by my superior that, as a newly-independent nation, our country needed hard work and dedication from its civil servants. We had a big task ahead of us, particularly in rural development. Ever since I have tried to do my duty to the government and the people. For doing my duty I have been honored with this Award. It was a real surprise to me. I do not think I have done anything exceptional. I have only carried out what is expected of me.

This Award is not so much for me as for my organization—the Federal Land Development Authority, or FELDA for short. Earlier this year FELDA was honored with a similar award by the Malaysian Tun Razak Foundation. Now another award—a most coveted one—has come its way. 1980 is, therefore, a very auspicious year for FELDA.

What FELDA has been doing and trying to do in the last 23 years is nothing novel or new. It has been organizing land settlement projects for the many landless rural people in Malaysia. Our objective is not different from that of the late President Magsaysay. His efforts in rural reform and helping the poor will be long remembered. His untimely demise deprived the people of Asia of a dedicated leader and a statesman. Nevertheless the flame that he lit continues to burn, not only in the hearts of the Filipino people, but all over Asia. The creation of the Ramon Magsaysay Award is fitting tribute to a great leader, who made the eradication of human poverty his obsession in the service of his people. It is no exaggeration to say that I am overawed on this occasion. To be able to bask in some of the glory of this great leader is something that I have never dreamed of.