Aware of this, ASEAN has always made it a point to encourage its talented citizens toward high achievement in the fields of culture and information. So when the Association last August launched the yearlong observance of the 30th anniversary of its founding, among the major activities that the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI) organized was the Fourth Presentation of the ASEAN Awards on Culture and Information.

On that occasion, 14 luminaries in culture and information from ASEAN countries, with the exception of Lao PDR, and the ASEAN radio and television programs of Vietnam were conferred the award consisting of a cash prize of US$5,000 and a trophy. They were:

Haji Kamaluddin PDP Haji Abu Bakar of Brunei Darussalam for high achievement in photography; Awang Haji Ramlee bin Haji Mohd Said of Brunei Darussalam for his achievements as a radio broadcaster; Dr. Kontowijoyo of Indonesia for his achievement in the promotion of public understanding of culture; Prof. Dr. Astrid S. Susanto of Indonesia for her achievements in social education and information; Hamzah bin Awang Amat of Malaysia for his vital role in the popularization and preservation of Malay traditional performing arts; Othman Hafsham of Malaysia for the important role that he played in the growth of his country's film and television industry; U Han Tin of Myanmar for his achievements in the art of sculpture; U Thein Maung of Myanmar for his literary achievements and contributions to the growth of the country's film industry; Lucrecia R. Kasilag of the Philippines for her pioneering work and unique achievements in musical composition and for her exemplary leadership in arts and cultural administration; Eddie Romero of the Philippines for his contributions to society through the use of film as a medium of communication; Pan Shou of Singapore for his achievements in the art of calligraphy and poetry; Cheong Yip Seng of Singapore for his achievements in journalism; Professor Sudhiwong Pongpaiboon of Thailand for his life's work devoted to restoring and revitalizing the dying oral traditions of his country; Cherd Songsri of Thailand for his contributions to his country's social values through his work as film director; The Vietnam ASEAN in Radio Programme, a weekly radio program, for promoting ASEAN awareness in Vietnam; The ASEAN Programme on Vietnam Television for generating awareness of and support ASEAN.

At the awarding ceremonies, Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said that the accomplishments of the honorees "are worthy of emulation and constitute a source of inspiration for the peoples of the region aspiring for high achievement. By according due recognition to their contributions, we hope to further stimulate the creative energies among themselves and their peers so they will rise to even higher levels of achievement. At the same time, we send a clear signal to the youths of ASEAN that encourages them to strive not only for excellence but also for social relevance."

Also on hand to congratulate the awardees and present them with their trophies and cash awards were Indonesian Information Minister R. Hartono and Indonesian Director General of Education and Culture Prof. Edi Sedyawati.