KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty-four Malaysian designers were honored today with recognition at the Certified Industrial Designer (CiDE) 2024 programme, an initiative organized by the Malaysian Design Council (MRM) to highlight the role of design in innovation, sustainability, and economic development.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, highlighted the achievements of the recipients, noting their impact on raising public awareness of design’s broader applications. His speech was delivered by Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong at the MRM-Industry Dialogue and CiDE 2024 award ceremony. The event was attended by other notable figures, including Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil, Amirul Fadhli Che Ismail, Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Ahmad Zainuddin, and Datuk Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad.

Amirul Fadhli, the director of MRM, elaborated on the CiDE 2024 programme’s rigorous standards, which require designers to demonstrate significant professional competency, in
cluding a minimum of five years of experience and a portfolio of commercially successful products. He emphasized the designers’ achievements as a testament to their talent and as a symbol of a promising future for Malaysia’s design industry.

Amirul Fadhli also discussed the pivotal role of design and innovation in Malaysia’s upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN, urging industry players to showcase Malaysia’s leadership in design. He outlined the support provided by the National Design Roadmap and the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI), expressing confidence in elevating the “Designed in Malaysia” brand globally. A Reform Strategy Plan is set for launch in 2025 to support the National Design Centre’s establishment and clarify stakeholder responsibilities.