KUALA LUMPUR: It was a pleasant surprise for Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali yesterday when she was bestowed the Hixson Fellowship Award, the highest honour awarded by the Kiwanis International Foundation. The wife of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was only told about the award presentation during her visit to the Kiwanis Down’s Syndrome Foundation (KDSF) National Centre in Taman Sea, Petaling Jaya.It was her first visit to the centre since she launched it 16 years ago. At that time, it was located in Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya."This is certainly a surprise! I am extremely honoured and proud to receive this award," said Dr Siti Hasmah at a Press conference after visiting the centre.The award was introduced in 1916 to pay tribute to Kiwanis International’s first president, George F. Hixson.Present at the event was the centre’s patron, Toh Puan Ena Ling, and current president Lee Kuan Yong.
