Former assemblyman, ex-newsreader named Sabah's Maal Hijrah Icons
KOTA KINABALU (June 27): Former Banggi assemblyman Datuk Amir Kahar Tun Mustapha and former newsreader Datin Seri Panglima Nursuhadah Basah have been announced as Sabah's Maal Hijrah Icons for 1447H/2025M.
The awards were presented by Sabah's Head of State, Tun Musa Aman, here today.
Amir, born on February 16, 1950, inherited the fighting spirit of his late father, Tun Datu Mustapha, in championing the welfare of Sabah's people.
Armed with qualifications from the London Business School and Harvard School of Business, he established himself in state politics, serving five terms as an assemblyman and three terms as a Member of Parliament.
The pinnacle of his career saw him appointed as Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, with an outstanding record in advocating rural development, indigenous land rights, and regional economic cooperation through the Sabah and Palawan Co-operation Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In the field of Islamic propagation (dakwah), he continued his father's harmonious approach, strengthening state Islamic institutions and promoting a more open, scholarly and unifying model of dakwah in Sabah.
Meanwhile, Datin Seri Panglima Nursuhadah Basah, born on August 31, 1953, began her career as a newsreader, broadcaster and program producer from 1973 to 1978.
She later entered politics as a nominated assemblywoman and then as Assistant Minister of Community Welfare and Unity in Sabah.
She has been active in Sabah's Muslim women's religious organizations, leading and coordinating religious, welfare and educational programs for women.
Her commitment is also evident in her roles as a committee member of MUBARAK Sabah and patron of the Hj Salleh Mosleh Mosque.
As a charismatic Muslim woman leader, she has amplified women's voices in policy-making and da'wah program management, reflecting her authority as a prominent female Islamic figure in Sabah.
Her contributions have been recognized with the Ahli Darjah Kinabalu (1983) and Ahli Setia Darjah Kinabalu (2000) awards.
The selection of these two icons highlights their steadfast roles in reinforcing Islamic values, defending the people's welfare, and fostering inclusive societal well-being in Sabah.
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