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Honouring Padma Shri Malai Haji Abdullah in Brunei Darussalam, 12 May 2018

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High Commissioner Nagma M. Mallick hosted a luncheon to felicitate Padma Shri Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman, President of Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) on 12 May 2018. Mr. Malai Haji Abdullah was conferred the prestigious Padma Shri Award by the President of India on 2nd April 2018 at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi in recognition of his work for autistic children and adults in Brunei Darussalam.

Speaking on the occasion, High Commissioner Smt. Nagma Mallick praised the valuable contribution that Mr. Malai Haji Abdullah had made through SMARTER with limited resources but with determination and a clear vision. She described SMARTER as a centre of excellence and a beacon of hope for the entire region. She recalled that the Government of India had presented Padma Shri Awards to 10 achievers from each of the 10 ASEAN nations to commemorate 25 years of ASEAN- India relations. Mr. Malai Haji Abdullah mentioned that his work to establish SMARTER stemmed from his personal experience as his own son was autistic.





50 guests attended the luncheon including Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports, Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila and students and faculty of SMARTER, Brunei.









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Brunei Darussalam 15 May 2018