Going strong: Foon Meng (centre), Chan (on Foon Meng’s left), members of the board, senior management and SMG staff celebrating the 53rd anniversary at Menara Star in Petaling Jaya. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Employees and senior management of Star Media Group (SMG) got together to mark its 53rd anniversary and a year of significant milestones.
SMG chairman Tan Sri Wong Foon Meng hailed the company’s 53 years as a leading force in Malaysia’s media industry.
He underlined SMG’s long-standing commitment to “delivering news that matters and stories that resonate with the people since its establishment in 1971”.
Foon Meng also noted key milestones of SMG this year, chief of which was SMG and Sin Chew Daily’s partnership in hosting the Asia News Network (ANN) regional summit in Kuala Lumpur last week, which was attended by delegates from over 20 Asian media titles.
At the summit, SMG chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng was elected as ANN’s next chairman. She will serve her two-year term beginning Jan 1 next year.
“This further underscores our commitment to fostering the right platform in amplifying Asia’s media voices,” he said in his speech at the anniversary celebration.
Other milestones highlighted by Foon Meng were the launch of Asia’s first ESG Positive Impact Consortium and the recent Malaysia-China 50th Anniversary Photo Exhibition.
“The Star remains the country’s top English-language news portal,” he added.During the event held at Menara Star here yesterday, the company also honoured 20 employees who have served 15 and 25 years.
Among them was Penang bureau client brand marketing general manager Simone Liong.
She said in her 15 years with SMG, she has been kept motivated by the innovative projects it has executed.
“We spearheaded many projects and this made the job exciting,” said Liong, 53.
For engineering technician Wong Fook Kwong, yesterday marked the 25th year of him ensuring that the printing press runs smoothly every day.
“We are on standby to quickly fix the printing machine when there is any breakdown, especially on night shifts.
“Maintenance of the machine is no easy job as parts can weigh up to 60kg to 70kg,” said Fook Kwong, 48, who, after receiving his award, returned to SMG’s printing plant, Star Media Hub, in Shah Alam.
Mohamad Naim Hashim, the voice behind news and traffic announcements at Suria FM, the popular Malay-language radio station under SMG, was among the 15-year award recipients.
The news and traffic assistant manager said the role allows him to create connections in the entertainment industry and work with well-known brands.
Reflecting on his career with SMG, Mohamad Naim said he started as a part-time event crew member for Suria.
“I later got the opportunity to audition and became a news announcer at the station,” said the 36-year-old.
Another long-service award recipient, senior driver Ganasan P. Arumugam, said the job has changed his life.
“After I started working here, I changed my lifestyle and became a more disciplined person,” said Ganasan, 56, who joined the company 25 years ago.
As the main driver for SMG adviser Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, who is also Bernama chairman, Ganasan said he is inspired by his boss.
“I’ve learnt a lot from him, which has helped me improve my work and be a better team player,” he added.
The awards were presented by Foon Meng and SMG group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt.
The event concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony and a hearty lunch.
