Kuala Lumpur, (Malaysia) —His Royal Majesty the Most Illustrious Sovereign Great Maharaja of Kutai Mulawarman, Prof. Dr. M.S.P.A. Iansyah Rechza F.W., Ph.D., successfully received The BrandLaureate Leadership Award 2026 – Nation Building Icon at a dignified, world-class, and magnificent ceremony held on Wednesday evening, January 28, 2026, at The Majestic Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
This prestigious award, organized by The World Brands Foundation, marks a significant international milestone. It serves not only as global recognition of His Royal Majesty’s leadership but also reaffirms the strategic role of leadership rooted in customary values, spirituality, and humanity in building a just and sustainable global civilization.
Highest Honor as Nation Building Icon
The Nation Building Icon Award is the highest accolade presented to world figures with exceptional track records in leadership, peace, and civilizational development. In an atmosphere of honor and warm diplomacy, His Royal Majesty accepted the award in the presence of leaders, academics, diplomats, and distinguished guests from various countries.
President of The World Brands Foundation, His Excellency Emeritus Prof. Dr. KK Johan, stated in his address that the award was conferred as a tribute to His Royal Majesty’s visionary leadership as a prominent customary leader, international humanitarian figure, academic scholar, and global peace advocate who consistently upholds values of justice, unity, and the dignity of humanity worldwide.
A Values-Based Global Leader
On the international stage, His Royal Majesty is recognized as an international IEP leader who signed an agreement with the United Nations Global Compact, actively promotes the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and is a key figure in humanitarian and world peace diplomacy. His leadership extends to over 300 international organizations across nearly 160 countries, and is regarded as a relevant, adaptive, and influential model of customary leadership in the modern global order.
This international recognition was reinforced by the medal awarded by the United Nations Mission I-SUN-VV in 2016, in recognition of His Royal Majesty’s success in mobilizing cross-border humanitarian volunteers amid international political crises, while advocating for global security, human rights, and universal humanity.
Living Legacy of Nusantara Civilization
As the Maharaja of the Kutai Mulawarman Kingdom – one of the oldest kingdoms in Nusantara – His Royal Majesty not only carries the legacy of ancient civilization but also revitalizes these values in contemporary leadership practice. Hailing from Muara Kaman, East Kalimantan, His Majesty continues to elevate the dignity of Nusantara traditions through dedication to global security, universal social welfare, and international brotherhood.
At regional and national levels, this award is seen as strengthening the position of the Kutai Mulawarman Kingdom as a symbol of early Nusantara civilization that remains vibrant and actively contributes to national development and cultural unity. Through the Kutai Mulawarman Royal Council (KMRC), cross-regional international cooperation across Asia, Africa, and Europe continues to be expanded and strengthened.
Contributions of Key Figures
The success and smooth running of the award ceremony were made possible by the synergy and dedication of customary leaders and royalty who have actively strengthened the cultural diplomacy and international relations of the Kutai Mulawarman Kingdom, including:
– His Most Illustrious Highness Prince Prof. Dato’ Seri Dr. Goh Kwee Keng, JP, Orang Kaya Maharaja 11 Lipatan and President of the International Kutai Mulawarman Royal Council.
– Her Highness Princess Dato’ Seri Ng Kim Heo, Orang Kaya Maharaja 3 Lipatan and Royal dignitary of the Kutai Mulawarman Kingdom.
– His Excellency Dato’ (Dr.) Lim Swee Geok, Dato’ of the Kutai Mulawarman Kingdom.
– His Excellency Supreme Royal Commander Dato’ Seri Edros bin Haji Abdullah, Chairman of the Mandala Council of Nusantara Chieftains’ Heirs Malaysia.
– HRH Prince Ery Affandi Yusuf, and
– Dato’ Dr. Lim Chin Teik.
The conferment of The BrandLaureate Nation Building Icon Award 2026 reaffirms that leadership based on custom, spirituality, and humanity remains relevant and needed to address global challenges. The dignified success of the event stands as proof of global recognition for the strategic role of the Maharaja of Kutai Mulawarman as an international Nation Building Icon.
