Latest news with #Hawana2025SpecialAward
Sinar Daily
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
Rozaid Abdul Rahman's trailblazing career in journalism honoured at Hawana 2025
KUALA LUMPUR - The late Rozaid Abdul Rahman, a towering figure in Malaysian journalism, was posthumously awarded the Hawana 2025 Special Award in recognition of his lifelong dedication and influential legacy in the media industry. The award ceremony marked the climax of the National Journalists Day (Hawana) celebration, held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) on June 14. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who personally presented the award to Rozaid's eldest son, Roz Ariffin, 34, described Rozaid as a principled and responsible true champion of press freedom. 'The world of Malaysian journalism continues to remember the outstanding figure of great stature, the late Rozaid Rahman. To me, he was more than a journalist. 'He was a true friend, a sharp thinker and a principled and responsible fighter for media freedom,' Anwar said in a heartfelt Facebook post. The late Rozaid's accomplishments and honours throughout his journalism career. Photo: Bernama The award presentation was witnessed by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, along with more than 1,000 guests, including local and international media professionals. Also in attendance were Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who also served as the Hawana 2025 Project Director. Rozaid, who passed away on Aug 18, 2024, due to a heart attack, had an illustrious career spanning over 40 years. Born in Nibong Tebal, Penang, on Oct 1, 1964, Rozaid began his journey in journalism as a cadet reporter with Utusan Melayu on April 21, 1984. He later became the youngest person to be appointed Group News Editor at the age of 27. He etched his name into history as the first Malaysian journalist to set foot in the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) tunnels at the Thai border in December 1989. His exclusive report gained international attention and was picked up by media outlets worldwide. He also became the first to successfully interview CPM Secretary-General Chin Peng and 10th Regiment Commander Rashid Maidin just before the signing of the Peace Agreement between the Malaysian Government and the CPM in Hat Yai, Thailand. Rozaid's journalistic courage extended beyond borders. He spent over a month in Bangkok covering the 1991 military coup that toppled the Thai government. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the British High Commission journalism scholarship in 1992, attending a journalism fellowship programme at Wolfson College, United Kingdom (UK). He was later named the Penang Journalist Icon in 1994 and went on to become the first Malaysian to win the Asian Digital Media Award in Hong Kong on Nov 18, 2015, hosted by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers. Rozaid not only witnessed but also shaped the transformation of Malaysian journalism. A pioneer in digital journalism, he played a crucial role in the development of mStar Online under The Star Media Group and later spearheaded the launch of Sinar Daily, the English-language portal of Sinar Harian. In 2023, he returned to The Star as Group Editorial Consultant before being appointed Director of Media and Strategic Communications at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on May 23, 2023, where he managed the government's communication and media strategies. Hawana 2025, themed 'Journalism in the New Era: Balancing AI and Ethics,' was celebrated over three days, with May 29 officially recognised as National Journalists Day. The date commemorates the publication of the first edition of Utusan Melayu on May 29, 1939, and serves to honour the contributions of media professionals in fostering an informed society. 'I hope the spirit and values of Rozaid's struggle will continue to serve as a beacon for young media practitioners in upholding truth, honouring ethics and strengthening democracy,' Anwar said in tribute. Rozaid's passing was widely mourned, but his legacy continues to resonate. As a journalist, editor and media leader, his career embodied integrity, innovation and an unwavering commitment to the truth.
The Star
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Rozaid posthumously honoured at Hawana 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: The late Rozaid Abdul Rahman was posthumously honoured at the National Journalists Day (Hawana) 2025. Rozaid, who served as the media and strategic communications director for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, was the recipient of the Hawana 2025 Special Award. His eldest son, Roz Ariffin, 34, accepted the award from Anwar at the Hawana 2025 gathering in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Rozaid, who previously held the position of group consulting editor at The Star, passed away from a heart attack on Aug 18 last year. During his illustrious career, Rozaid also served as the group editor of Sinar Harian. Born on Oct 1, 1964, in Nibong Tebal, Penang, Rozaid began his career as a cadet journalist at Utusan Melayu in 1984 and became the youngest news editor of the Utusan Group at 27. Malaysian Press Institute president Datuk Yong Soo Heong received the Hawana 2025 Award. He previously served as Bernama's editor-in-chief. With over five decades of experience in the media industry, Yong began his journalism career at The Star and The Straits Echo.
The Star
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
PM Anwar arrives to officiate Hawana 2025 celebration
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has arrived at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) to officiate the highlight of the National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2025 celebration. He arrived at 11.45am and was welcomed by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and his deputy Teo Nie Ching. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Dr Zaliha Mustafa; Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa; Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai; Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin; and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who is also the director of Hawana 2025. The Prime Minister is scheduled to address approximately 1,000 guests, comprising local and international media practitioners. Themed "Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics', Hawana 2025 is organised by the Communications Ministry, with Bernama as the implementing agency, and supported by various media organisations and strategic industry partners. The Prime Minister will also present the Hawana 2025 Special Award and the Hawana 2025 Award, to individuals who have made significant contributions in the field of journalism. In addition, he will present prizes to the winners of the Hawana-DBP 2025 Pantun Festival, held on May 31. In addition, he is scheduled to present contributions from the Tabung Kasih@Hawana to three veteran journalists in need, as a gesture of appreciation and concern for media professionals who have shaped the landscape of journalism in the country. Representatives from media associations, journalist clubs, and news organisations from Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, and China have gathered in the capital since Friday, participating in a series of programmes held in conjunction with the prestigious event, now in its fifth edition. The Hawana celebration was first introduced in 2018 to honour the contributions of journalists to national development, with May 29 chosen as the official date, in recognition of the first publication of "Utusan Melayu' in 1939. - Bernama
New Straits Times
14-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
More than 1,000 local, foreign media practitioners to converge in Hawana 2025 celebration
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 1,000 media practitioners from both local and international media organisations are expected to converge at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL) today for the climax of the National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2025 celebration. The prestigious event will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Dewan Merdeka, WTCKL, at about 12 noon today and among those in attendance will be Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Dr Zaliha Mustafa, and Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching. Also present will be the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Communications Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Chairman of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who is also the Project Director for Hawana 2025. Among the international media organisations joining in to enliven the climax of the celebration are Al Jazeera, China Central Television (CCTV), Jiji Press, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Vietnam News Agency (VNA), The Jakarta Post, and MediaCorp. The largest gathering of Malaysian media practitioners, themed 'New Era Journalism: Balancing AI and Ethics', is organized by the Ministry of Communications through Bernama as the implementing agency. The climax event today will also see the presentation of the Hawana 2025 Special Award and the Hawana 2025 Award by the Prime Minister to prominent journalists as a tribute to their contributions in the field of national journalism. The Prime Minister will also present contributions from Tabung Kasih@Hawana to three veteran journalists facing health issues, as a symbol of concern for the plight of media personnel who once coloured the nation's journalism landscape. The prestigious event will see Anwar present prizes to the winners of the Hawana-DBP 2025 Pantun Festival, which was held successfully on May 31, with winners taking home RM3,000 in cash, along with a trophy and a certificate of appreciation. This prestigious event marks the culmination of Hawana 2025, which runs from June 13 to 15, bringing together various programs and initiatives specifically for the media fraternity and media industry experts. The Hawana 2025 celebration continues with various meaningful activities, including media sports events featuring traditional games, as well as a roadshow to premier polytechnics in Selangor, Perak, and Johor to foster interest among the younger generation in the world of journalism and media. Before the climax event, the Hawana 2025 Forum will take place at Dewan Tun Hussein Onn at 9 am today, discussing the topic "Malaysian Media Council: Regulator or Media Protector"? followed by a technology sharing session titled "AI & Media: Tool, Threat or Opportunity"? The forum, jointly organised by Bernama and the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI), also serves as an important platform for the Protem Committee of the Malaysian Media Council (MMM) to voice their views on the direction of the industry post the approval of the MMM Bill 2024 in Parliament last February. Meanwhile, at the concourse of Sunway Putra Mall, the Hawana 2025 Carnival is still ongoing on its second day with various exciting activities, including casual talks with agencies, quiz, guest artist performances, colouring activities, meet-and-greet sessions, as well as forums and workshops related to creative writing, photography, podcasts, and media literacy. In the media interactive zone, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the world of live broadcasting through exhibition booths by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Media Prima Bhd, Astro, and TV AlHijrah. Also attracting attention are live broadcasts from the Hawana Mini Studio by Bernama TV, the interactive game 'Breaking News' by Bernama Radio, and the Safe Internet Campaign (KIS) exhibition organised by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). May 29 was gazetted as National Journalists' Day in conjunction with the publication of the first edition of the Utusan Melayu newspaper on May 29, 1939, to celebrate the contributions and services of media practitioners and veteran journalists in the development of the nation. Hawana 2025 also received support and cooperation from nearly 100 strategic partners.
