Shining a spotlight on those who make a difference

The Star

5 hours ago

Celebrating kindness: Star Media Group (SMG) group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt (third left) together with Melati (third right) at the Star Golden Hearts Award 2025 launch ceremony. With them are (from left) SMG chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng, SMG chief operating officer Lydia Wang, and McDonald's Malaysia corporate communications senior managers Afni Adnan and Wan Shariena Bahrom. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Celebrating unsung heroes and dedication to making a difference are core va­lues at the heart of the Star Golden Hearts Award (SGHA), and these values deeply align with McDonald's Malaysia.
McDonald's Malaysia senior vice-president and chief impact officer Melati Abdul Hai said SGHA is an ideal platform to ho­nour selfless individuals who quietly uplift their communities.
'At McDonald's, we serve not only food but also people. SGHA really resonates with us because it celebrates unsung heroes – those who have committed themselves at a personal level to doing good in their communities.
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'The award is a fantastic platform to recognise these indivi­duals who give their time and effort to making a difference,' she said in an interview yesterday.
Melati highlighted that Mc­Donald's Malaysia has long been involved in community initiatives through its Program Komuniti @ McDonald's, which benefits over 10,000 people annual­ly at the grassroots level.
This commitment, she said, makes the company's involvement in SGHA a natural fit, as both aim to foster unity and bring communities together.
'We're particularly drawn to individuals committed to doing grassroots community work, as it mirrors our own core values at McDonald's.
'When acts of kindness come from the heart and people commit to helping others and uniting the community, it truly goes a long way. That's the Malaysia we envision,' she added.
Now in its 11th year, SGHA returns under the theme 'Recog­nising the Unsung, Inspiring the Next', continuing its mission to honour Malaysians who make a difference through selfless action.
'We hope the award reminds Malaysians that you don't need a title, platform or big budget to make a difference. You just need a caring heart.
'For the recipients, we hope this recognition validates their efforts and encourages them to keep going, knowing that their work matters and is being seen,' said Melati.
She also expressed hope that the award would inspire younger generations to step forward and take the initiative in giving back to their communities.
'To the youth, we hope this serves as an inspiration. We want to build a Malaysia that cares for its society, a community united through integrity and diversity,' she added.
This year also marks the debut of the McDonald's Caring Hearts Award, a special category honouring individuals or grassroots groups whose heartfelt acts of kindness have uplifted lives in profound and lasting ways.
The new category celebrates Malaysians whose selfless efforts create real impact in the lives of others, not for recognition, but out of a deep commitment to community well-being.
For more information or to submit a nomination, visit https://www.sgha.com.my/