Star Media Group wins inaugural Klang council president’s award

KLANG: The Star Media Group won the prestigious inaugural Council President’s Award at the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) Media Awards 2020.

StarMetro chief reporter Edward Rajendra J.S. Henry Kandiah won the award for best English news article for the story, “Klang Folk welcome free bulk waste collection” published on Sept 24.

In the news article, Edward had focused on MPK’s high expenditure to dispose of bulk waste dumped illegally in the royal town and its plan to reduce the bill and stop indiscriminate dumping of rubbish with the introduction of a free pick-up service.

The Council President’s Award recognises newsmen that demonstrate high standards of reporting on community issues of significance and broaden people’s understanding through simple graphics and views from the community.

Due to Covid-19 standard operating procedures the event was stream online via Facebook.

MPK’s council president Dr. Ahmad Fadzli Ahmad Tajuddin said the council had received 80 entries.

“Our council had received 80 entries from the Malay, English and Chinese language media for the 13 categories that focuses on news in the municipality. Among the award categories were on, Environmental News, Current Issues, Sensational news, Creative Media and Covid-19 news, ” he said.

Fadzli added that the Council President’s Award was introduced for the first time.

“Our judges chose StarMetro, for the Council President’s Award as the newsman had made an effort to understand the issue, obtain the council’s view, people’s feedback, have graphics that tugged the reader’s interest, had a reader friendly design layout and good photos.

“We have found that StarMetro’s community reporting had made an impact among the people. It has prompted people to call MPK for a free pick-up of bulk waste instead of dumping it illegally, ” he said.

MPK’s Corporate Communications Department director Norfiza Mahfiz said in most of the news articles submitted, the writings of the reporters showed constructive approach in reporting that looked at the issue and solutions.