SHAH ALAM - Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) organised its Media Awards 2021 ceremony to show its appreciation for the contribution of the media which saw Sinar Harian being selected as the winner of the Jury Award.
Through a special report by journalist Muhammad Afham Ramli and Mohamad Hisyamuddin Ayub from the Rasuah Busters Department, Sinar Harian was selected as the winner of the Jury Award with the article 'Jual Vaksin Sampai RM800 Satu Dos' (Selling of Vaccine up to RM800 a dose).
The second Jury Award was awarded to Berita Harian journalist Mohd Abdul Illah Hafiz Abdul Aziz through the report 'Gaya Hidup Mewah Punca Rasuah'.
The main prize for the print media category was won by Berita Harian journalist Suzalina Mohamad Halid through her article 'Pendedahan Kartel Daging 2.0'.
For the electronic media category, Astro Awani journalist Izwar Muzzani Abdul Wahid was chosen as the winner for the report 'Rasuah Terapung Di Tengah Laut'.
Two Jury Award winners for the electronic media category were won by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) journalist Grace Aisyah Humairah Kedayan with the report 'Datuk Antara Ditahan Godam Data Imigresen dan Cetak PLKS Palsu', and Astro Awani journalist Marlinawatie Che Abd Manaf with the report 'Perkasa Institusi Polis, Kehakiman, SPRM'.
A total of 24 entries were submitted to the MACC this year involving print and electronic media.
The total involved 14 entries for the electronic media category and 10 entries for the print media category.
Meanwhile, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the number of entries this year slightly increased compared to 2020 where a total of 20 entries were submitted from various media agencies in the country.
He said the MACC understood the constraints of journalists who had to go out to find news, at the same time facing the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
However, he said, what important was the topics covered by the media were very interesting and encouraging.
"Your news reporting managed to open people's eyes to the existence of corruption at the least expected places.
"Revelations by journalists based on facts and evidence can trigger an investigation by the authorities," he said in a speech on Tuesday.
Also present at the MACC Media Awards ceremony were MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya; MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Seri Norazlan Mohd Razali and MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Management and Professionalism) Datuk Junipah Wandi.
Also present was the award jury panel, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI), Datuk Dr Chamil Wariya and Bebasnews.my Editorial Advisor Datuk Mohd Zaini Hassan.
Meanwhile, the winner of the Jury Award from Sinar Harian, Muhammad Afham said, the ceremony from the MACC is an honour to the media practitioners who strived to help the commission fight corruption in the country.
Afham, who is also the head of the Crime Desk said, although the contribution from the media is small, but to some extent helped the commission in educating the public on corruption crimes.
"Thank you to MACC for appreciating the contribution given by the media to fight corruption in the country," he said.