Star Media Group (SMG) has been awarded the Gold Award for its exemplary fact-checking section, True or Not, at the WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards (DMA) 2025.

Organised by the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), the event has been a pivotal platform for transformation in the news media industry since 2009.

This year, it brought together global media leaders to share innovations in digital revenue, AI and newsroom technology.

Star Media Group chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng highlighted that the team’s efforts have continued to enhance The Star’s reputation as a reputable news organisation.

“I’m so proud of our team. When we started this segment, we had no clue how to go about it and what topics to focus on daily, but as time went by, we realised readers really loved this segment and looked to us to tell them whether a certain info is true or not.

“We decided to do this as we had already been identified as one of the top-most trusted brands, and this is a service we want to share with our readers.

“We make sure we include both hard and soft items to make it fun as well! I’m so happy we are on the right track!” she said.

Deputy Executive Editor Sim Leoi Leoi commented that the award is a reflection of the teamwork and dedication involved in creating The Star Online’s fact-check content.

“We would like to thank all the editors and reporters who have contributed to the Star Online’s Quickcheck and True or Not stories, and for their dedication to keep it going.

“The popularity and high page views of these stories show that the role of media is in fact even more important than ever in the era of fake news and fast-evolving, viral social media landscape.

“Now – as before – people want to know the truth, and that should always be the reason why we do what we do,” she said.

With Malaysia at the helm of Asean this year, the bloc will step up its push for greater regional energy integration, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

In outlining Malaysia’s vision for Asean’s energy future, he said the country will leverage collective strengths to build a resilient and interconnected energy ecosystem that supports both economic growth and environmental sustainability.

“Malaysia will lead Asean in developing collaborative solutions that balance economic growth with environmental responsibility,” said Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister.

He said this in his keynote address at the Asia Pacific Business Forum (APBF) 2025 organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) here yesterday.

Also present was Star Media Group Bhd’s group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt, who accepted the Asia Pacific Media Leadership Award for Sustainability on behalf of the newspaper.

Star Media Group Bhd (SMG), in collaboration with Food Aid Foundation (FAF), contributed hot meals and dry foodstuff to 100 families in Sri Kota People’s Housing Programme (PPR), Kuala Lumpur.

Noor Liza Abu Hasan, a producer with SMG’s Bahasa Malaysia news portal Majoriti, said the “Food for Soul 2.0” initiative was aimed at alleviating food insecurity during Ramadan.

“Ramadan provides us an ideal opportunity to support vulnerable groups by ensuring they have access to nutritious meals to break their fast.

“I hope that all the families receiving the contributions can have a great Ramadan and Aidilfitri ahead.

“I also hope that organisations like FAF can continue their welfare efforts so that corporations like us are more aware of the needs of the communities,” she said during the food distribution at Sri Kota.

All recipients are from the B40 group, including single mothers.

Before the distribution, some 15 volunteers from SMG gathered at FAF in Desa Tun Razak to prepare the hot meals and pack the dry items together with FAF staff.

A total of 400 packs of hot meals with rice and dishes including spicy and sour chicken (ayam asam pedas), cucumber and onion salad (jelatah), sambal goreng jawa, omelette and dates were prepared under the supervision of Professional Culinaire Association Malaysia president chef Mohd Kamaruddin Adnin.

Mohd Kamaruddin, also known as Bob Adnin, is the host of cooking show Chef Bob Cooking.

The food bags contain some 20 dry food items such as soy sauce, bihun, crackers, flour, tea, coffee and bottled chilli sauce.

The families also received a pack of rice and a bottle of cooking oil.

The hot meals are sponsored by FAF while SMG financed the dry foodstuff.

FAF general manager Afraz Said said the hot meals enabled the families to enjoy wholesome and nutritious home-cooked food during Ramadan.

“The dry items in the food bags, on the other hand, could support them for around one to two weeks.

“We don’t need to wait until we have everything to start helping people. We can always start small and help one person at a time,” she added.

FAF operations head Muhammad Izzul Izham Mohammad Nordin said the initiative showed the efforts by FAF and SMG to help low-income families.

“This collaboration is in line with the spirit of Ramadan, which is shown through the support from SMG as a corporation and its corporate social responsibility initiative,” he said.

Noor Liza and Afraz also distributed the items to two families in the PPR who have wheelchair users or senior citizens with mobility issues.

The Star Outstan­ding Business Awards (SOBA) marked its 15th year with its latest award ceremony, shining a spotlight on 99 outstanding businesses which have redefined success in their industries.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the 15th year of SOBA was a milestone that highlighted its impact on Malay­sia’s business ecosystem.

“This prestigious event celebrates excellence in the country’s business landscape, recognising the remarkable contributions of home-grown, non-public-listed Malaysian businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that continue to drive our nation’s growth,” he said in his speech at the SOBA 2024 Gala Night at One World Hotel here yesterday.

Fadillah said the future of Malaysian businesses lies in digitalisation; environmental, social and governance (ESG) complian­ce, and adaptability to evolving market demands.

“By embracing technology, sustainability, and continuous learning, Malaysian businesses can strengthen their foothold locally and expand into international markets.

“However, this journey requires collective effort from government agencies, the private sector, financial institutions and industry players,” he added.

Fadillah extended his congratulations to the SOBA 2024 winners and nominees for their well-deserved achievements.

“Your success is a testament to the power of innovation, resi­lience and commitment to sustainability. You are paving the way for the future, demonstrating that businesses that embrace ESG, drive innovation, and remain steadfast in their vision will lead Malaysia’s economic transfor­mation,” he said.

He urged businesses to embrace renewable sources, not just in large-scale projects but also within business operations.

Star Media Group (SMG) group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt said SOBA has grown into a vital platform that recognises the outstanding contributions of home-grown businesses, particularly SMEs, over the past 15 years.

Since SOBA’s inception in 2010, Chan said it had received over 3,000 entries with more than 650 outstanding businesses recognised over the years.

This year, we are thrilled to announce that SOBA 2024 has received over 350 submissions across multiple categories, showcasing the strength and diversity of Malaysian entrepreneurship,” he added.

SMEs, he said, form the backbone of the country’s economy and are essential to the nation’s growth.

“In 2023 alone, SMEs contributed RM613.1bil to Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP), accoun­ting for 39.1% of the nation’s economy.”

Chan also noted that the SOBA awards, built on a legacy of rigorous standards and a transparent judging process, is an honour that can only be earned.

“This distinction makes SOBA one of the most coveted accolades in the industry, where only the most deserving individuals and businesses are recognised through the expertise of our jud­ges,” he said in his speech.

Chan also introduced two new initiatives for SOBA 2024 – SOBA Elevate and SOBA Accelerator.

At the ceremony, WynKids Education Group and VitaHealth Malaysia received the Malaysian Business of the Year award in the “up to RM25mil” and “RM25mil and above” categories respec­tively.

Also present at the awards ceremony were SMG chairman Tan Sri Wong Foon Meng, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd president and chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zamree Mohd Ishak, PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd group chief executive and managing director Datuk Seri Dr Michael Tio, RHB Bank Bhd group community banking managing director Jeffrey Ng and U Mobile chief information officer Neil Tomkin­son.

SOBA 2024 was organised by SMG with Credit Guarantee Cor­poration Malaysia, PKT Logis­tics and RHB Bank as main sponsors, with Matrade being the official trade promotion partner.

It was audited by BDO while radio stations 988 and Suria were official media partners.

Also making its presence at the gala night was U Mobile, the SOBA 2024 Gala Night telecommunications partner, which held a lucky draw at its booth.

For more information, call SMG Events (017-231 1789) or go to www.soba.com.my.

When she was diagnosed with a tumour at 16, Eunice Wong Luo Ee experienced a deep sense of helplessness and fear.

A patient with prolactinoma, which is a benign pituitary tumour that produces a hormone called prolactin, she had to undergo treatment in her home state, Sarawak.

With her family’s support and the care provided by her doctors, Wong pulled through not only physically but also emotionally.

“I remember the compassion and dedication of my doctors at every follow-up. They didn’t just treat my disease but took the time to reassure my family and me.

“My treatment worked effectively, allowing me to significantly reduce the size of the tumour,” she said.

The 21-year-old added that her experience was life-changing, as it was then that she realised she wanted to pursue medicine – not only to save lives but also to provide the same comfort and hope she had felt during her treatment.

A Star Education Fund scholarship recipient, Wong is now on track to realising her dream, ha­­ving been granted the opportu­ni­ty to pursue a Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine at Monash University Malaysia.

“Pursuing medicine at Monash has always been my dream. This scholarship will provide the support needed to focus fully on my studies without the burden of financial stress.

“My father is a tuition teacher, while my mother is a primary school teacher. My father does not have a stable income, so enrolling in medicine is very stressful for my parents.

“In addition, the burden of financially supporting my two siblings’ university fees amid the increasing living costs weighs heavily on my parents,” she said at the Star Education Fund scholarship award presentation ceremony for the year 2024 at Menara Star here yesterday.

Wong said she has set her sights on becoming an oncologist specialising in cancer research and treatment.

Fellow student Nur Aisyah Khairul Hezry, 20, is also living out her dream of pursuing tertiary studies under the fund’s scholarship.

Like Wong, Nur Aisyah has had to battle health issues, and her experience too influenced her tertiary choice.

“Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with astrocytoma, a tumour in my spine that left me temporarily unable to walk for two years and required 70 cycles of chemothe­rapy. I was on leave from school for two years.

“I doubted whether I would survive chemotherapy. But over time, I realised that it’s not chemotherapy that cancer patients fight the most – it’s their own emotions,” she said.

“Many people struggle to control their emotions during hard times, and this inspired me to study psychology.”

The Sunway University student from Selangor expressed her grati­tude for the scholarship.

“Finances have always been a challenge, especially due to my health issues. My father had to leave his job to focus on my treatment. Even now, medical costs remain a higher priority than education,” she said.

She expressed hope of becoming a child psychologist one day.

Since its inception in 1994, the Star Education Fund has benefited 4,520 recipients, with RM170mil worth of scholarships awarded.

Star Media Group group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt said a total of 81 scholarships valued at RM5.78mil have been awarded for the 2024 scholarship cycle.

“This achievement would not have been possible without the generosity of our 26 esteemed partners-in-education,” he said.

At the ceremony, Chan also launched the Star Education Fund Scholarship Awards 2025.

“We are excited to announce that for 2025, the Star Education Fund will be offering 214 scholarships valued at over RM14.24mil – one of our biggest milestones yet!” he said.

The fund will be running for the 32nd consecutive year this year.

Applications for this year’s edition are targeted to open in April.

The ESG Positive Impact Awards 2024 (ESG PIA) Winners Showcase has kicked off with sponsor OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd spearheading the event with a talk on sustainable financing.

The talk was held at Menara Star yesterday.

OCBC Bank’s commercial banking head Kevin Choo said the event allows ESG PIA winners to share their experiences and insights, providing inspiration and learning for current participants of the award.

“It is also a fantastic opportunity for everyone to come together, share ideas and explore new possibilities in sustainable approaches.

“Transitioning to ESG excellence is rarely a straight path, there are bound to be challenges along the way.

“What truly matters is the commitment to innovate and persevere, even when faced with obstacles,” said Choo.

At the event, the first presenter for the day, OCBC Bank sustainable finance vice-president Teoh Shi Sheng elaborated on the bank’s sustainable financing, which he said has already been providing green financing to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) since five years ago.

Next to present were the winners of the Most Outstanding ESG Initiatives of the Year award for the SME to mid-tier category Iskandar Malaysia Studios and gold winner in Talent Management category AIA Bhd.

They shared about their experiences in setting up ESG-related programmes that have made them winners in the ESG PIA 2023.

AIA Bhd sustainability director Muham­mad Junaid Iqbal, winner of ESG PIA 2023 in the Good Health and Wellbeing category, spoke on the importance of employees’ physical and mental health through programmes and plans that the insurance agency has done via its AIA app.

Iskandar Malaysia Studios chief executive officer Rashid Karim emphasised on the necessity of instilling sustainable practices in the filming industry to save energy and to overcome burning fuel due to excessive travelling.

Bursa Malaysia’s Bursa Car­bon Exchange assistant vice-­president business development and sales Muhammad Rizal Azmi delved into the intricacies of carbon credits that can be traded on the Bursa Carbon Exchange (BCX).

Rizal said the world cannot achieve net-zero by 2050 with the current available solutions.

“A lot of these technologies are not commercially viable yet. The carbon markets actually provide an avenue, a market-based instrument to allow offsetting and to develop more carbon projects in Malaysia and the world, so that we can actually achieve our net-zero goals together,” he said in an interview.

He added that there are many types of carbon credits suitable for any business, from large corporations to even SMEs.

The event also featured exhibitors which were previous ESG PIA winners. They showcased some of their sustainability efforts at the venue.

These include 2023 gold winners Complete Human Network Sdn Bhd in the Sustainable Ecosystems category, MM Century Sdn Bhd in the Waste Management category and Heliosel Sdn Bhd in the Renewable Energy category.

All three winners won under the SMEs and mid-tier companies segment.

The ESG PIA Winners Showcase was organised by Star Media Group, in partnership with OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd.

Star ESG PIA is open for submission, for more info visit https://staresgawards.com.my/

Across Malaysia, communities continue to face challenges ranging from environmental degradation to the need for increased social support.

Change does not happen overnight but it starts with those bold enough to take action.

With perseverance and the right support, even the smallest efforts can create meaningful, lasting impact.

Recognising this, Star Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering impactful and sustainable projects via the Star Social Impact Grant (SSIG) Programme.

The programme is a key initiative under the foundation – the charitable arm of Star Media Group.

Now in its fifth edition, the SSIG programme is inviting passionate social changemakers, leading non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and social enterprises to apply for grants.

This year’s programme will focus on two critical pillars: environmental stewardship and community empowerment.

The programme covers five core areas, namely environmental protection, community development, education, access to basic needs and infrastructure as well as health and well-being.

Successful applicants will receive up to RM50,000 per project, empowering them to implement their initiatives over a 12-month period following the grant disbursement.

At the core of the Star Foundation’s mission is the belief in the power of collective action to drive meaningful change.

Over the past four years, the SSIG programme has funded 15 impactful social projects, awarding a total of RM714,000 in grants.

These initiatives have helped improve the lives of local communities and contributed to environmental conservation efforts across Malaysia.

NGOs and social enterprises with innovative, social-driven initiatives are encouraged to seize this opportunity.

Applications for the SSIG programme are open from Feb 17 to March 31, 2025.

For details and to submit your application, visit bit.ly/starsig.

Since its inception in 2004, Star Foundation has donated approximately RM20.66mil to 366 social organisations, reinforcing its dedication to supporting Malay­­sian changemakers and sustainable initiatives.

Star Foundation also operates the Medical Fund Programme which provides financial assistance to underprivileged individuals suffering from chronic illnesses.

To date, this programme has supported 23 beneficiaries with contributions amounting to approximately RM1.15mil.

For more information on Star Foundation’s impactful community efforts, visit starfoundation.com.my

The array of study options available at the Star Education Fair 2025 drew thousands of visitors to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on its opening day.

Zara Nadine Kaushal, 14, arrived as early as 11am yesterday with her parents Muhammad Kiran Amar Nath, 48, and Norsiati Shamsuddin, 47.

Zara, who will be starting Form Two this year, said she wanted to get a head start in exploring the various tertiary study options offered by local and foreign institutions at the fair.

“I’m interested in the sciences, as I want to be a psychologist in the future. It’s important to speak to education representatives in person before making a decision,” said Zara, who was attending the fair for the first time.

Organised by Star Media Group, the two-day fair, which is the first of three this year, offers local and international study options, as well as different types of loans and scholarships.

The fair, which ends today, features a total of 70 institutions and two automobile brands offering exclusive student packages across 100 booths.

This year, education agency SI-Global is joining the fair to provide students and parents with information on study options at highly ranked institutions abroad.

Among the main exhibitors are Aberystwyth University, Bangor University, University of Bath, Birmingham City University, CATS Global Schools, City University London, University of Central Lancashire, University of Edinburgh, University of Essex, University of Exeter, University of Huddersfield, University of Kent, Loughborough University, University of Nottingham, Oxford Brookes University, University of Plymouth, University of Surrey, St George’s University of London, University College London, University of Warwick, University of York, University of Alberta, Lincoln University College, Ireland Education Office, Study Group, Shorelight, INTO, Medic Ed Consultant Sdn Bhd and Cambridge English For Life.

Visitors can also expect exhibitors from local institutions, such as University of Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Manipal University College, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Institut Jantung Negara College and KO Beauty Academy, which offers Malaysian skills-certified programmes.

UniKL, which occupies four superior booths, offers more than 139 programmes, ranging from foundation studies to postgraduate levels, in areas such as medical sciences, aviation and aircraft maintenance technology, as well as marine engineering.

There are several new exhibitors, namely, University of Tsukuba (Japan); Netherlands Maritime Institute of Technology, Ozford Institute of Higher Education (Australia); International Management Institute Switzerland, Career Start Baden-Wurttemberg (Germany), Alka Business Singapore, Universiti Utara Malaysia, International Islamic University Malaysia Graduate School of Management, Concord College International School, PrepWorks, Nucleus Chiropractic, Admal Aviation College, Proton, Mydin and Chery.

The fair is open from 11am to 7pm and has free admission, with door gifts available for early arrivals. Participants also stand a chance to win an Apple iPad Air, a Nintendo Switch, a Redmi Watch 4, or a pair of Redmi Buds 6 during the Register & Win sessions.

Star Media Group (SMG) bagged the prestigious gold award in the Media and Networks category at the 2024 Putra Brand Awards, second time in a row, having won gold last year.

The Star managing editor Brian Martin represented the media powerhouse to accept the award yesterday.

SMG group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt said SMG is happy that the people’s paper won gold again at the Putra Brand Awards.

“This is a people’s choice award, signifying the trust that the Malaysian public has in The Star,” he said.

Star Media Group (SMG) Johor bureau won four awards at Johor Baru City Council’s (MBJB) media appreciation night.

The bureau was recognised as active media partner while journalists Remar Nordin and Mohd Farhaan Shah won first and second places respectively in the journalist award category.

Remar and news editor Nelson Benjamin also won the best article and publication awards for their exclusive story on MBJB seeking long-term solutions for the city’s stray animal issues.

The prizes were presented by Johor Baru mayor Datuk Noorazam Osman during the event held at Menara MBJB.

Winners of each category received a certificate and RM1,000 for first place, RM700 for second place and RM500 for third place.

In his speech, Noorazam expressed his appreciation to media members for MBJB coverage throughout the year.

“It is my hope that the good relationship forged between MBJB and the media will be strengthened and they will continue to help us channel vital information to the public.”

Noorazam said MBJB had received numerous awards and national-level recognition this year.

He said MBJB also forged cooperation at the international level with cities such as China’s Shantou, Japan’s Kyoto and South Korea’s Daegu.

He noted that Johor Baru had received a lot of media attention for the Rapid Transit System (RTS) project and Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

“Johor Baru is experiencing a transformation to become the nation’s main centre of economic growth after Kuala Lumpur.”

He said MBJB carried out 12 high-impact projects in 2024, with another 20 in 2025 that were expected to deliver positive impact for the local community.

“MBJB aims to collect RM570mil in 2025, with 68% from tax revenue, 23% from non-tax revenue and 9% from non-revenue receipts.

“Of the total income, RM327.9mil is allocated for operating expenses while RM242mil has been earmarked for city development, with a budget surplus expected at RM100,000,” he elaborated.

Nelson, who is also The Star’s Johor bureau chief, said he appreciated how Noorazam and his team were cooperative and forthcoming with journalists on various matters including sensitive ones like the city’s stray dog population.

“During my meeting with the mayor, he was very open and he acknowledged some of the council’s shortcomings.

“He spoke on how the council was willing to make changes and work with non-governmental organisations to start its own trap, neuter and release (TNR) programme.

“This is something really commendable as MBJB is also now planning to build a new shelter.

“I hope the other 15 local councils in Johor adopt a similar mindset and continue to engage with the media.”

Nelson added that the five awards presented to The Star was in recognition of the newspaper’s role in highlighting issues faced by the people and communities in Johor.