KUALA LUMPUR: Perseverance and dedication in journalism over the past 40 years have earned Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai the Media Personality of the Year Award at Seba Awards 2024.
Receiving the award on behalf of Wong, Bernama's deputy editor-in-chief (News Services) Nasriah Darus said the award is a testament to his passion for journalism.
Meanwhile, in a video, Wong expressed his deepest appreciation for receiving the award from Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia.
"I find this quite amazing because every year, the SEBA Awards are usually reserved for entrepreneurs, and coming from someone from the media industry, a journalist, I find this a great honour.
"It's another milestone for my career but it is also a recognition, not just for me but for the entire industry, for my colleagues and my friends in the media industry, not just in Bernama and the staff but the entire media fraternity.
"This is indeed a great challenge and a great responsibility to share my award with all the fellow recipients," he said at the 11th edition SEBA Awards 2024 Central Grand held here on Thursday (Nov 14) night.
Wong, 63, who was recently appointed to the Special Task Force on the Corruption Perception Index, was among 35 award recipients at the ceremony.
He is a prominent media figure and an award-winning journalist who has been the Chairman of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) since September 2023.
He served as a member of the Bernama Board of Governors from 2004 to 2010 and its Supervisory Council from 2010 to 2014, and is also an advisor to the Star Media Group Berhad.
He has held various positions at The Star, including as group editor-in-chief, chief executive officer and managing director and became the first Malaysian to be elected into the Paris-based World Editors Forum as well as chairman of Singapore-based Asia News Network.
Besides that, he was also named by the Malaysian Press Institute for best journalist in features for his investigative piece on Malaysian terrorists in 2003.
Wong, who is also a director of Asia Leadership and Strategic Institute, an independent think tank, writes a weekly column "On The Beat" in The Star and Sin Chew Daily.
He has also authored two books and is an active content creator in social media.
Seba Awards 2024 is hosted by Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia, a distinguished non-governmental organisation that champions entrepreneurs in the country.
It is an annual recognition programme that has uncovered and recognised meritorious small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enterprises and entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia.
Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia Chairman and founder of SEBA Awards Datuk Nitesh Malani, in his speech, said the initiatives carried out by the current government are set to elevate the industry's standards and growth.
"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the government has made a significant commitment to fostering an environment where businesses can thrive and support early-stage companies, especially in the technology and the digital sector, with The New Investment Initiative Incentive Framework (NIIF) designed to attract foreign direct investments.
"It will focus on high-value sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, FinTech, offering a great amount of growth in these areas.
"Special grants for MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise) through SME Corp and various agencies under Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (KUSKOP) are fundamental to growing the local economy and striving upwards," he said.
Themed "Beyond Boundaries", the event aimed to provide entrepreneurs with a solid platform for recognition, networking and continuous growth, honouring exemplary achievements in entrepreneurship across the Asean region.
The award ceremony, attended by over 56 entrepreneurs, was graced by Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin. - Bernama
