PREMIER RICE BREEDER, FRIM AWARDED MAHATHIR SCIENCE AWARDS

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- Professor Dr Gurdev Singh Khush who is
known as the world's premier rice breeder and the Forest Research Institute
Malaysia (FRIM) were Monday night presented with the Mahathir Science Award for
2008 and 2009 respectively.

The Indian-born Dr Gurdev was bestowed The Mahathir Science Award 2008 for
his outstanding contributions to tropical agriculture.

The award was conferred in recognition of his perseverance, leadership,
commitment and revolutionary work in systematically directing and developing
several new rice varieties that have overwhelmingly contributed towards reducing
global hunger.

His contribution in increasing the production of rice has helped to feed an
additional one billion of world's population as well as improve the standard of
living of Asian farmers.

FRIM was honoured with the recognition for its contributions in the field of
tropical natural resources especially its role in the development of the
rubberwood furniture industry in Malaysia and globally.

Prime Minister Najib Razak presented the awards to the two recipients.

Najib said he hoped to see the award grow steadily in stature and influence
and be recognised in the hall of fame of international science, technology and
innovation awards.

"I hope that this award will encourage the recipients to continue their work
for the benefit of the environment, the region and mankind as a whole," he said.

The Mahathir Science Award, by the Acedemy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), is
bestowed on any scientist, institution or organisation worldwide in recognition
of contributions and innovations towards solving problems in the tropics through
science and technology.

The event also saw the conferment of certificates to ASM Honorary Fellow,
Senior Fellows and new Fellows, among them former Chief Secretary to the
Government Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid, as ASM Honorary Fellow 2009, following his
contribution to the establishment of the academy and to development of science
and technology in the country.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Maximus Ongkili and Academy
of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) President Tan Sri Dr Yusof Basiron also attended the
ceremony.
--BERNAMA