Australia bestows honorary award on architect Hijjas Kasturi
The Australian High Commission is pleased to announce the investiture of Mr Hijjas Kasturi as an Honorary Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia. The award recognises Mr Hijjas for his service to Australia-Malaysia relations, particularly through his support of the arts and to architecture.
The Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, H.E. Mr Miles Kupa said it was his great pleasure to bestow the Honorary Medal to Mr Hijjas, a distinguished Malaysian architect, for his significant contribution to strengthening Australia’s ties with Malaysia.
“I am delighted to see Mr Hijjas’ contribution recognised through this prestigious award. Australia honours him today, confident that he will continue to foster strong ties between our two countries well into the future,” he said at the investiture ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on 9 April.
Mr Hijjas’ connection with Australia began when he studied architecture at the University of Adelaide and the University of Melbourne after he was awarded an Australian Government scholarship under the Colombo Plan. Since then, his connection with Australia has continued as a visiting lecturer in Melbourne and Adelaide. He also organises architectural exchanges for students of architecture and junior architects from Australia.
In addition to architecture, Mr Hijjas is well-known for his contribution to the arts. He and his wife, Mrs Angela Hijjas OAM, own and operate ‘Rimbun Dahan’ – a centre on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur dedicated to supporting the development and conservation of various art forms. ‘Rimbun Dahan’ runs a range of artists’ residences, which also includes fully-funded year-long Malaysia-Australia Visual Artist Residency program. Over the years, many artists from Australia and Malaysia have benefitted from the artist-in-residence program.
Mr Hijjas’ generous support of links between Australia and Malaysia in the fields of architecture and the arts has been of great value to the growing relationship between the two countries.
The Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, H.E. Mr Miles Kupa (right) bestows the insignia to Mr Hijjas Kasturi.
Mr Hijjas Kasturi (left) and the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, H.E. Mr Miles Kupa.
Mr Hijjas Kasturi giving a speech after he was bestowed with the honorary award.
The Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, H.E. Mr Miles Kupa (right) congratulating Mr Hijjas Kasturi (centre) after receiving the honorary award. Looking on is the latter's wife, Mrs Angela Hijjas.