UMNO Appeal and Disciplinary Board member Tan Sri Hanafiah Hussain is among the three distinguished leaders who were conferred the 'Melayu Terbilang' Award for their contributions in the struggles to ensure the survival of UMNO and the Malays.

The two other recipients were Wanita UMNO permanent chairman Tan Sri Napsiah Omar and Penang UMNO secretary Tan Sri Mohd Yusoff Abdul Latiff.

UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak presented the award at the party's 71st anniversary celebration at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium here last night.

Hanafiah, 90, who is also former Jerai MP and the first Malay ever recognised as a Chartered Accountant, in a video clip showed before receiving the award, thanked UMNO for the recognising his contributions.

The Bumiputera Economic Congress member and the most important individual in the establishment of Malaysia-Taiwan bilateral relations, also called on the young Malays to contribute to the development of the nation, as such contributions would not be in vain.

Meanwhile, Napsiah, 74, who once served as Minister of Public Enterprises, said a (political) party is nothing without its members.

"UMNO and its emblem are non-living entities. We, the members, are the ones who make it 'alive' and give it strengths," said the former Kuala Pilah MP.

For Mohd Yusoff, 87, UMNO is the party of the Malays and had played the most important role in gaining independence for Malaya.

"It is only right that the party is well supported by the people because without UMNO, there is no Malaysia," said the leader who had been an active member of UMNO since 1947. -- Bernama