SHAH ALAM - The National Press Club (NPC) celebrates its Diamond Jubilee while placing a strong emphasis on the vital role of women in journalism while honouring some of the biggest names in the Malaysian media landscape.
Held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) last night, the ceremony honoured 17 journalists for their dedication to truth and nation-building.
During the ceremony, NPC President Datuk Ahirudin Attan highlighted the need for greater recognition of female journalists.
"We do not do this because it is fashionable or to fulfil policy requirements; we do it because we genuinely believe in the contributions of women in leadership positions,” he said in his speech on Friday.
Ahirudin further emphasised the importance of mentorship among women editors, noting that their influence extends beyond their immediate roles.
The NPC’s Diamond Jubilee showcased the substantial contributions of women in journalism, celebrating their achievements with over 170 media practitioners and industry leaders in attendance.
Among the esteemed guests were Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif and Communications Ministry’s Deputy Secretary-General Nik Kamaruzaman Nik Husin, along with organising chairman and NPC vice-president Farrah Naz Abd Karim.
During the awards ceremony, Dr Maimunah expressed her support for recognising women journalists.
"I am pleased to learn that this evening's awards will celebrate the immense contributions of many women in the field of journalism,” she said.
As a former gender champion at the UN, Maimunah acknowledged the critical role women play in media and encouraged continued support for their achievements.
A highlight of the evening was the recognition of 11 veteran journalists awarded the Lifetime Dedication to Journalism Award for their unwavering commitment to integrity, fairness and truth, which has significantly shaped Malaysian society.
Star Media Group (SMG) chief content officer Esther Ng, when approached by the media, highlighted the importance of teamwork in her success.
"I didn’t get here by myself; I did it with my team. I would like to thank SMG for giving me the opportunity to lead," she said.
Ng also called for greater recognition of women in the industry, noting that 70 per cent of section heads at The Star are women, highlighting the organisation's commitment to gender equality.
Veteran journalist Datuk Nuraina Samad, also among the honourees, expressed gratitude for the recognition.
Nuraina also reflected on the evolution of journalism and women's rights in Malaysia.
"This is the first time we've had an award specifically for women, but it’s also a recognition for my peers, those who have known me and worked alongside me for years. I'm truly touched by this gesture, and it means a lot," she added.
However, she also stressed that her passion for journalism has always been driven by the desire to tell the truth.
"In journalism, you don’t work for awards; you work out of love for the job and the passion to report the truth," she said.
Among the awardees was PC Shivadas, recipient of the prestigious NPC Diamond Award, while Datuk Hardev Kaur received the NPC President’s Award. The Media Luminary Award was presented to four recipients: Datuk Nuraina Samad, Datin Paduka Esther Ng, Nini Yusof, and Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin.
The Lifetime Dedication to Journalism Award celebrated the unwavering service of 11 veteran journalists: Zainoor Sulaiman, Datuk Seri Azman Ujang, Abd Karim Abd Shukor, SN Rajan, Datuk Ahmad Murad Merican, Tan Jooi Long, Datuk Mokhtar Hussain, S. Sivaselvam, Zulkafly Baharuddin, Datuk Jaafar Husin, and Abdul Rahman Ahmad.