Sinar Harian wins main prize at Kinabalu Press Awards 2025
Sinar Harian journalist Norasikin Daineh won the main award for the Malay Language News Report (non-feature) category at the Kinabalu Press Awards 2025 held on Sunday night.
KOTA KINABALU - Sinar Harian journalist Norasikin Daineh, took home the top prize for the Malay Language News Report (non-feature) category at the Kinabalu Press Awards (KPA) 2025 held on Sunday night.
She won a RM2,500 cash prize and a certificate for her impactful series "Jalan Magandai."
The award-winning report shed light on the daily struggle of villagers especially schoolchildren who had to traverse muddy roads despite repeated promises of infrastructure improvement during the 2022 General Election (GE). SMJ Energy Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Dr Dionysia Kibat. (second from left) presenting the main prize to Sinar Harian journalist Norasikin Daineh (second from right), for the Malay Language News Report (non-feature) category at the Kinabalu Press Awards 2025 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
The prize was presented by SMJ Energy Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Dr Dionysia Kibat.
In a speech by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor which was delivered by State Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, the former urged journalists to practise their craft with integrity and professionalism.
"The success and dissemination of government policies rely on the media's ability to deliver clear and effective information to the people.
"As an entity closely connected with the government, the media also plays a role in conveying information related to the state's development policies," he said.
He added that the government remained fully committed to initiatives that would benefit the people and accelerate the development of Sabah through the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan.
He also stressed the importance of strategic cooperation and strengthened relationships between media and the state, especially in delivering accurate development-related information to the public.
"Media reports help the government understand what is happening on the ground and hear the concerns of the people.
"Certainly, the government always welcomes such reporting as it acts as a bridge between the government and the people," he said.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged the need for a reliable and ethical media to serve as a platform for fast and accurate information dissemination.
He praised the KPA, organised by the Sabah Journalists Association (SJA) with support from the state and other sponsors, as a way to recognise and inspire excellence in journalism.
"This ceremony serves as a platform to motivate media practitioners to remain driven, focused and responsible in producing ethical and transparent work. The state government values and understands this need. In fact, sponsorship support increases every year.
"I congratulate all the winners. Continue your excellent work and let this achievement be a catalyst to further contribute to the state's development and the people's welfare through credible and ethical news reporting," he said.
Meanwhile, SJA president Mariah Doksil shared that 268 entries were submitted this year and evaluated by experienced jurors from the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI).
"Tonight, we not only recognise last year's outstanding work but also celebrate the spirit of journalism.
"We often deliver the stories of others—struggles, hopes, achievements and change. But behind every byline, photo credit and recording, as storytellers, we have our own journeys too.
"I want to pay tribute to all of you who continue to report the truth, capture moments with care and write based on journalistic ethics," she said.
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