Pangkor Dialogue platform to avoid development with over-zealous implementation

He said the fourth edition programme featured a large-scale gathering of international as well as local dignitaries, academicians, investors and non-governmental organisations.

According to Ahmad Zahid, the first participation of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the dialogue was indeed a recognition to the importance of a global development network to international growth.

"Advocating change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources are among the best available channels in helping the world to build a better life.

"On behalf of the Federal Government, I would like to thank the state government for its endless effort to promote this dialogue and for making Perak a centre of deliberation for future growth. We can take pride in it," he said this at the Pangkor Dialogue 2017 Awards Dinner, here.

The two-day event themed 'Making the Future: Innovative Pathway to Sustainable Development' Organised by Institut Darul Ridzuan.

Elaborating further, Ahmad Zahid said the dialogue is hoped to achieve its goal in strategising a better development growth, not only in Malaysia but in other regions as well in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

He said the dialogue which was held in 2014 for the first time was also a platform where inside information is shared to find solutions for universal challenges faced by the region and it would provide a greater understanding of the issues at hand.

The deputy prime minister also noted that the dialogue provided actionable and impactful recommendations for the benefits of all stakeholders and had been proven to be a venue for forming fruitful collaborations between international stakeholders.

"Let us focus on optimising the social development goals at the sub-national level, and focusing on finding an optimal pathway between innovation and sustainable development," he said.

The deputy prime minister also presented the National Unity Icon Award to the late Tun V.T Sambanthan; National Development Icon Award to the Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik; Visionary Economist Icon Award Tan Sri Dr Kamal Salim; Inspiring Cultural Icon Award Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid; Perak Amanjaya Icon Award Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali.

Exemplary Youth Icon Award Cheong Jun Hoong; Exemplary Youth Icon Award Leong Mun Yee; Social Innovation Icon Award Dr Anil K. Gupta; Lifetime Leadership Icon Award Jorge Jamil Mahuad Witt; Women In Science Icon Award Dr Catherine Grace Coleman.