PUTRAJAYA: Hard work and dedication in helping others paid off for a 40-year-old doctor from Kuantan when she was presented with the Employee of the Year Award on Labour Day.
“I’m still pinching myself even though I’ve done it 1,000 times to make sure I am not dreaming.“I can’t believe I’ve been given the award,” Dr Malar Santhi Santheragespan said when met after the Labour Day event at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here yesterday.
The doctor, who is serving with the emergency unit at Colombia Hospital, said she did not expect to win the award as she felt there were more deserving candidates.
“I don’t even know who nominated me, but I received a phone call recently to provide more details about myself,” she said.
Dr Malar, who is from Kuantan, said it was most likely her work with several non-governmental organisations tipped the scales in her favour.
“It is not just about serving your organisation, but also doing social work to help others,” she added.
Earlier, during the event, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim presented Dr Malar with a trophy and a cheque for RM10,000.
He also presented a trophy and RM10,000 to Harta Maintenance Sdn Bhd for winning the Best Employer Award.
More than 2,000 employees from both the civil service and private companies participated in the celebration with the theme “Workers – Platform of Catalyst for Malaysia Madani”.
Anwar was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and several ministers.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar said this was the first time in three years where employees were able to gather to celebrate Labour Day.
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