PETALING JAYA: With over 500 nominations and after rigorous selections, a total of 10 organisations and individuals have been named as winners of the Star Golden Hearts Award (SGHA) 2024.
Star Media Group (SMG) group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt said that the selfless actions of the winners have kept SMG motivated to continue its mission.
“Your stories inspire us to believe in the power of kindness and to continue uplifting those who need a helping hand.
“These stories of compassion, unity and resilience will continue to shape the Malaysia we all aspire to build — a Malaysia where every act of kindness matters and where every life is valued,” said Chan during the awards ceremony at Menara Star on Tuesday (Nov 12).
Themed “Power of One, the Strength of Many”, SGHA 2024 celebrates its 10th year anniversary since its first inception in 2015.
He added that the award, which started as a modest effort, has become a beacon of hope, drawing people from all walks of life and demonstrating the true strength of Malaysia.
“We have consistently proven that compassion and unity are at the core of who we are as a people as it is deeply ingrained in our identity.
“Therefore, our 10th Anniversary is particularly special, as it not only commemorates SGHA itself but also marks an important milestone – a tribute to the 100 unsung heroes we have honoured over the last 10 years,” said Chan.
Also present at the awards ceremony was SGHA chief judge Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye who said that the award manifested the collective efforts of Malaysians from different walks of life.
“Serving as the chief judge has always been a rewarding experience, reminding me, year after year, of the quiet, transformative power of kindness, compassion and unity.
“I have witnessed acts of courage and generosity that have created a lasting legacy of change across communities,” he said in his speech.
Lee added that with the number of nominations exceeding 500, the challenge of selecting the winners has been formidable.
”We have witnessed remarkable individuals and organisations advocating wildlife protection, environmental stewardship, educational advancement, social welfare and inclusivity for marginalised communities, disaster relief assistance, and community empowerment, just to name a few.
“This is because this awards programme has remained resolute in its mission: to recognise everyday Malaysians who go above and beyond in their contributions to society, often without seeking acknowledgement for their efforts,” he said.
Among the causes that were recognised in this year’s SGHA 2024 included wildlife conservation, community development, social welfare, environmental and biodiversity, as well as crisis and disaster relief.
The 10 winners were Rimau, Reef Check Malaysia, Silatul Rahim Dahman, WWF-Malaysia Orang Asli Anti-Poaching Team, Food Aid Foundation, Prof Dr Thong Meow Keong, APE Malaysia, WWF-Malaysia’s Sarawak Wildlife Conservation Team, Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia, and Search and Rescue Dogs Malaysia.
The award ceremony was also enlivened by a special musical performance by Ideas Autism Centre, which was a Star Social Impact Grantee.
A student from the centre, Muhammad Dharwisy ‘Ukaysyah Muhammad Azam Syah, also dedicated a poem entitled “Terima Kasih Perwira Kami” as a form of gratitude to the winners who had poured their hard work for their noble cause.
