Star Media Group bags two golds at 2024 MPI-PETRONAS journalism awards
Executive editor of content design Tung Eng Hwa, as well as chief designer Muhammad Hafeez Aminuddin, and deputy chief designer Hassan Bahri, took home the gold prize in the Best Infographic category, along with a RM10,000 cash prize, trophy, and certificate.
Senior writer Ragananthini Vethasalam clinched first place in the Best News Reporting category, earning a RM10,000 cash prize for her impactful series: A Stillborn Heart Centre, Heart of the Centre Is Not Beating, Operating a Solution, Three OTs Back in Action, Heart Ops Comes to a Halt, and No More Shocks for Hospital.
The Star also secured both second and third place in the Best Multimedia category, with the winning teams receiving RM3,000 and RM2,000 in cash prizes, respectively, along with trophies.
The team that bagged the silver award comprised senior news editor Abdul Razak Ahmad Idris, chief news editor Nik Mazwin Nik Anis, deputy chief designer Foo Chern Hwan, and chief digital designer Nor Shalina Abdul Samad for their What's In It For You in Budget? series.
The bronze award for the category went to the team of deputy news editor Sheridan Mahavera, senior writer Tarrence Tan, senior writer Ragananthini Vethasalam, and journalist Muhammad Shyafiq Dzulkifli for their interactive General Election series.
The Star Metro journalist Muhammad Farid Abdul Wahab secured third place in the Best Feature Writing category, earning a RM2,000 cash prize and a certificate.
In the Best Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Journalism category, senior chief videographer Juliana Mohd Fauzi took third place for her compelling series: Bring the Forest Back to Life Again, From Forest Guardians to Wildlife Saviours, Custodians of the Malayan Tigers, Foodbanking for the Needy, and Braving the Forests to Conserve Wildlife.
SMG chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng said the awards serve as an encouragement for the organisation to stay true to its strengths.
'Thanks to MPI for the recognition! This will only spur us on, doing what we do best.
She said SMG has always championed topics and issues that are close to the people's hearts.
'We have been active in forging the path with digital storytelling, as well as the traditional print, which we are proud to defend.
'This awards show that we are going the right direction. Thanks to our great team!' she said.
Tung said he was proud of the team's achievement, highlighting how impactful storytelling can be effectively delivered through illustrations and graphics.
'Through this visual piece on the serious threat of microplastics, we hope to raise greater awareness so that everyone becomes more mindful about our environment and reconsiders their use of plastic,' he said.
Ragananthini expressed gratitude to her editors for supporting and shaping the impactful story.
'I would like to dedicate this award to the whistleblower who braved all odds to come forward with this story.
'I am glad to have played a very small part in providing them a platform to amplify the call for action and mount pressure on authorities to act fast,' she said.
A remembrance and special award were conferred upon the late Rozaid Abdul Rahman, who previously served as the group consulting editor at The Star.
Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai was honoured with the Tokoh Wartawan Negara award in recognition of his extensive experience and significant contributions to Malaysian journalism.
Wong has served The Star for over 35 years in various capacities and roles. He is now group editorial and corporate affairs adviser to the group, after having served as group managing director/chief executive officer.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Fresh design leads to fortune
KUALA LUMPUR: Magnum 4D has unveiled a brand-new ticket design, its first major refresh in nearly two decades and it has already brought incredible luck to one very happy winner. A Magnum Life player from Bandar Baru Kampar has officially become the first grand prize winner with the new-look ticket, walking away with RM1,000 every single day for the next 20 years. That adds up to RM30,000 a month, RM365,000 a year and an incredible total of RM7.3mil over the full prize period, all from just an RM1 play. The lucky winner shared that the refreshed design was what first caught his attention. 'I saw the new ticket and thought it looked clean and modern, so I decided to just try my luck with RM1. 'I picked the numbers randomly, no special dates or anything. I didn't expect anything, so when I found out I'd won the Magnum Life grand prize, I was speechless,' said the winner. Magnum 4D is thrilled that the new ticket design has already brought joy to a player, so soon after its launch. 'We're incredibly happy to witness such a life-changing win,' said a Magnum 4D spokesperson. 'This marks our 17th Magnum Life grand prize winner to date and we have seen growing interest in the game. The strong appeal of its long-term rewards continues to attract players, while the refreshed ticket design has helped spark renewed attention and excitement.' In addition to the ticket redesign, Magnum 4D has introduced new display screens across all its outlets. Customers can also now purchase tickets for up to eight draws in advance, offering greater flexibility and convenience for those who prefer to plan ahead. As Magnum 4D continues to evolve, this latest refresh marks a meaningful step forward in enhancing the overall customer experience while staying true to the brand's legacy of trust, excitement and life-changing possibilities.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Taiwan band rocks Penang
FANS chanted 'Power Station', sang along to the band's tunes, screamed for an encore and waved their phone flashlights in sync with the music. The legendary Taiwanese rock duo enthralled fans at the Esplanade in George Town, Penang, by belting out five songs, each receiving louder cheers than the last. It was indeed a performance to remember for many. They performed Wu Qing De Qing Shu (Ruthless Love Letter), Zhong Xiao Dong Lu Zou Jiu Bian (Walking on Chung Hsiao East Road Nine Times), Wai Tao (Coat), Wo Hen Hao Pian (Love Me True), and Dang (When), setting the stage on fire with their crisp vocals and electrifying guitar rending. Locals and tourists enjoying the performance during the After Work Fest by 988 FM held at the Esplanade, Penang.( July 27, 2025 ) —CHAN BOON KAI/The Star Regarded as the highlight of the two-day After Work Fest by Star Media Group's (SMG) 988 FM over the weekend, the duo proved their crowd appeal when they paused mid-song and the audience took over singing the lyrics word for word. Other notable artistes who took to the stage to perform on the second day of the two-day fest were Bestards (from Taiwan), Anson Poon, Chronicles Ong Fu Ying and Jud Chen. The first day saw performances by Abin Fang, Uriah See, Diorlying Tan, Trevor Kuo, Ryota Katayama and Z-Chen Zhang. The fest, organised by popular Chinese-language radio station 988 FM in conjunction with its 29th anniversary, was a roaring success as crowds poured in from all over the country on both days. 988 FM DJs Chan Fong and Chloe Low showing the hair she donated. It embodied the spirit of 'Play with Passion, Play with Purpose,' in line with the station's annual theme 'Infinite Play', to help participants de-stress joyfully and unlock creativity and energy. The event also featured 50 creative and artisanal booths that offered workshops for carving wooden chopsticks, making decorated origami fans, arts and crafts. Other booths offered ornaments, accessories, crafts, trinkets, snacks and food for sale. Graphic designer Cassandra Chen, 26, who travelled from Kuala Lumpur with her sister specifically to attend the fest on both days, said, 'We heard about it on the radio and had to make the trip here. 'We are excited to watch Power Station and take part in the activities. 'They are a famous band and it is great to be able to see them in person and enjoy their music. See interacting with the audience, young and old, during his performance at the After Work Fest. 'We usually have to pay for tickets to watch such performances, so it's nice that this is for free,' she said. Chen, who tried her hand at decorating a fan, said she enjoyed the fun activities with her sister while waiting for the performances to begin. 'We have had great two days here and there has been plenty to see and shop at the fest,' she added. Baker Jeffrine Ang, 28, who was seen setting up a picnic on the field while waiting for the acts to begin, said it was a fun day out for them. 'We are all from Penang and heard about the festival. 'We have been fans of some of the local acts since high school. 'We are also fans of the radio station; we came to check out the fest and it has been fun.' Engineer Yeong Sze Hai, 40, who turned up with his friends, said it was mandatory for him to attend the festival as he was an ardent fan of the radio station. 'We wanted to see all the local and international acts. It has a good line-up of performers. 'I am enjoying the vibe as we sit on the field and the weather has been good too.' The event also saw a hair donation campaign and fundraiser, offering free haircuts for those willing to donate their hair. Proceeds from regular haircuts (without hair donation) will benefit Locks of Hope, the National Cancer Society Malaysia and Childhood Cancer Caregivers Support Organisation. 988 FM DJ Chrystina Ng, who initiated the hair donation drive, donated her long tresses. 'It has always been my dream to hold such a campaign and donate my hair. 'I have been working on this for almost 10 years. 'I cut some of my hair today and will keep the other half to cut at the next leg of this campaign.' Ng said she had always grown out her hair with the intention to donate it and was glad that she could encourage others to do the same. 'I am thrilled with the turnout as I never imagined that so many people will donate... it is not an easy decision for people to donate their hair. 'On the first day, we had more than 100 donors and now we expect the count to be much higher,' she said. Also present during the opening ceremony were Tourism Malaysia deputy chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, SMG group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt, 988 FM senior general manager Woo Bee Ay, SMG board member Loh Chee Can, chief operating officer Lydia Wang and client brand marketing (bureaus) general manager Simone Liong.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
A mother's recipe for supporting her family
Compiled by C. ARUNO, BENJAMIN LEE and R. ARAVINTHAN THE sudden loss of her job spurred a determined mother in Raub to start a food business to support her family and pay for her daughter's heart treatment, reported Kosmo!. Amizaliana Baharom, 41, runs a small home-based food business after her contract as a cleaner in a palm oil mill was not renewed. She makes kuih sepit, sambal pucuk ubi and sambal kantan with her mother, Narizan Wahab, 61, to sell around the village. 'This is just the beginning. We are producing in small batches and hope more shops will take our products,' she said. From the earnings, Amizaliana helps cover family expenses and finance her 18-year-old daughter Nur Alya Najihah's treatment for a perforated heart. Nur Alya underwent surgery in 2020 at a cost of RM42,000. 'Thankfully, we received some financial assistance, but we still had to pay a portion. She no longer requires medication, but continues to be monitored by doctors,' said Amizaliana. Her husband works as a school security guard, earning about RM2,000 a month and lives apart to care for his elderly father. With limited income, Amizaliana worries about their son who excelled in the STPM and dreams of becoming a teacher. > Actress Siti Saleha has confirmed that she's expecting her first child, ending over a week of viral pregnancy speculation, reported Sinar Harian. The 35-year-old shared the wonderful news with her fans on Instagram, with a photo of her husband Joshua Fitton in Bali. Eagle-eyed fans immediately noticed Siti was also holding up an ultrasound scan. 'We've been keeping it a secret for long. Josh ate a little too much, and his tummy looks really bloated. So I figured I'd match his belly with mine,' she wrote in her post. The above article is compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with this ' >'sign, it denotes a separate news item.
