KPJ Healthcare Berhad

THE achievements of Malaysia Book of Records holders can inspire many Malaysians, including schoolchildren, to excel and give their best, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The prime minister said the records set would inspire many to take up running, climbing, or in one memorable case, using their fingers to pierce coconuts.

He said the desire to do the best, not just to succeed but to excel, was an essential part of human nature.

"It is what drives us onwards and upwards to greater things and along the way, we discover so much about ourselves, our limits, our abilities and the spirit that lies between us."

Najib said in the last Olympics, all but one of the 100m finalists broke the 10second barrier and hundreds of people climbed Mount Everest every year, including many Malaysians now.

"One thing about records is that they are made to be broken. The success and achievement will drive others to excel, to train hard so that they might run across deserts, to study hard so that they can travel to space.

"Once we see something done, often we can do it ourselves, but someone must go first, go further or go faster," he said in his  speech at the Malaysia Book of Records' "Night of Achievers" and Awards 2014, themed "The Nation Salutes You" here last night.

Present were his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and Malaysia Book of Records managing director Datuk Danny Ooi.

Najib said people like Datuk Azhar Mansor, the first Malaysian to sail solo around the world, Cik Suwaibah, the first Malaysian to
run solo across the Sahara, and Captain James Tan, the youngest pilot to take a solo flight around the world, were among those whose achievements had been chronicled in the Malaysia Book of Records.

Najib said it was an honour for him to be among these great achievers. The event also saw the launch of the MBR: 9th Edition publication.

At the MBR Awards 2014, more than 60 recipients received awards, presented by Najib and Rosmah. Media Prima Berhad (MPB), the largest integrated media group, received the Outstanding Business Award. MPB group shared services chief operating officer Datuk Kamal Khalid received the award.

Felda Global Ventures Berhad, Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad, Perbadanan Nasional Berhad, Maybank Berhad, KPJ Healthcare Berhad, AW Faber Castell (M) Sdn Bhd and Bank Simpanan Nasional were the other recipients of the Outstanding Business Award.

Among the recipients for the Icons of Malaysia Award were tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan, AirAsia group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, first Malaysian man in space Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, Datuk Jimmy Choo and renowned singers Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin and Datuk Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Bakhbereh, or fondly known Datuk Shake.