(Kuala Lumpur 2 April, 2010) The Federation of National Writer Association of Malaysia (GAPENA) conferred upon Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, President of Soka Gakkai International “The World’s Great Poet Award” (Anugerah Tokoh Penyair Antarabangsa) on 1 April, 2010 at Seikyo Shimbun, Tokyo, for his tireless contribution through poetry in the struggle for environmental sustainability and peace for mankind.

YBhg. Tan Sri Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Ismail Hussein, President of GAPENA, said in his speech: “We hereby repeat our support and admiration to His Excellency as a thinker and philosopher as well as spiritual leader, who is also a very perceptive and creative poet and novelist, as well as a photo artist, a great personality who has established lasting dialogues among world leaders.”

Earlier on, Prof. Emeritus Ismail also mentioned that Dr. Ikeda is a prolific international poet as well as poet laureate, who composes many beautiful poems. His works pay tribute to peace, human love, motherly love and friendship which touch the heartstrings of all people, giving them courage, happiness and hope. The value of his poems will withstand the passing of time.

In honour of his contribution, Prof. Emeritus Ismail composed a poem for Dr. Ikeda as follows:
Bangkitmu dari matahari kelam
Bawa sinar distari alam
Damai sarwajagat kauanuti
Dedikasi sepanjang zaman
Inilah ingatan persahabatan

Dr. Daisaku Ikeda is the first international recipient of “The World’s Great Poet Award” from GAPENA. The award was received by Mr. Hiromasa Ikeda on behalf of Dr. Ikeda.

Distinguished guests who attended the conferment ceremony included YBhg. Dato’ Shaharuddin Md Som, Ambassador of Malaysia to Japan; Mr. Yoshitaka Oba, General Director of Soka Gakkai International; Mr. Koji Harada, Chairman of the Board of Seikyo Shimbun; Tuan Haji Hamzah Hamdani, Treasurer and Encik Abdul Aziz Mohd Ali, Executive Secretary of GAPENA; General Director and Secretary-General of Soka Gakkai Malaysia.