He said this is especially so when it involves non-political leaders who really built the foundations of the Malaysian economy and society.

“A true nationalist that does not see race or religion, just Malaysians. We should all use this recognition and honour of a great son of our nation as inspiration of what Malaysians are capable of. I am determined to see this happen.

“The recognition by the government of Kerala, India, of our very own BC Sekhar by naming a college in their newly announced university after him, should bring all Malaysians great pride,” he said in his Facebook page.

Anwar said he had known Sekhar since the late 1970s and right through his career, adding that he was a brilliant mind that he could call on for advice.

“Sekhar’s leadership in the rubber and palm oil industries made Malaysia economically secure and was one of the key contributors to reducing poverty in our nation.”

Sekhar, known as Mr Natural Rubber then, died on Sept 6, 2006 at the age of 77.

Earlier, it was reported that the announcement was made at the Kerala state assembly by the state’s finance minister TM Thomas Isaac when tabling Kerala’s 2021-22 budget.

Shekhar is widely known as the father of the Malaysian rubber industry, having founded both the Malaysian Rubber Development Corporation and the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority.

As an innovator, one of his most significant achievements was the establishment of the Standard Malaysian Rubber (SMR) quality scheme, which is still used worldwide among natural rubber producers and consumers today.