Apart from her activism, Marina, daughter of former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was also conferred the Knight (Chevalier) of the Legion of Honour – the highest award in the nation – for her connection to France.
French ambassador Christophe Penot in his speech said as a prominent public figure in the country, Marina lent “her voice and charisma to many causes”, citing her work with the Malaysian AIDS Council and with migrants as examples.
The French, he added, admired her courage to speak her mind.
“We are impressed by the fact that while you are deeply appreciative of French culture, it did not stop you from speaking your mind,” The Star quoted him as saying.
Present at the ceremony, held at the French Ambassador’s residence here last night, were Mahathir and wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, as well as other fellow activists.
Marina, who is also a columnist for The Star, said she was “grateful and humbled” to be a recipient of the Legion of Honour, which in the past had been handed to former Malaysian Bar president S Ambiga and Sisters In Islam co-founder Zainah Anwar.
Marina’s award by a foreign nation comes barely 24-hours after it was reported that another Malaysian, Nisha Ayub, a transgender activist, became the first trans woman to win the US Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award.
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