Rizal (centre) with The Star’s Johor bureau team (from left) Yong, Mohd Farhaan, Nelson, Venesa, Yee and Nur Mysara Ahmad Fauzi.
The Johor bureau of The Star won nine prizes at Johor Media Awards 2025.
Journalist Yee Xiang Yun took home the Johor Corporation Sustainability Award for her article titled “Johor’s Refuge for Giants”, which came with RM3,000 and a trophy.
Venesa Devi bagged two awards – Best Environmental News for her piece “Encounters with the Wild” and Best Tourism News for “Attracting Tourists Year-Round to Johor”.
Mohd Farhaan Shah won the Best Economic News award with his article “Reaping a Rich Bounty”.
Both received RM2,000 and a trophy in each category.
Additionally, Yee also earned two consolation prizes for the Best Economic News and Best Sports News categories.
Mohd Farhaan and photographer Thomas Yong Kim Sing won consolation prizes in the Best Environmental News and Best Human Interest Photo categories respectively.
They took home RM500 and a trophy in each of the categories.
Onn Hafiz (seated, centre) with media practitioners at Johor Media Awards 2025 in Johor Baru. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
Retired journalist Rizal Abdullah, who previously served at the bureau and covered numerous international sports assignments, was honoured with the Johor Special Media Award for his lifelong contributions to journalism at the event held at the Persada International Convention Centre in Johor Baru.
The Star news editor Nelson Benjamin, who is also Johor bureau chief, said he was proud of the team’s success and attributed their win to strong commitment and teamwork.
“All the stories that were picked were mainly community and people-centric.
“That is what The Star has been focusing on, as we always try to highlight the people’s voices,” Nelson said.
He stressed that the win was testament to the Johor team’s hard work in producing relevant news reports of good quality.
In his speech at the event, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi congratulated all winners and expressed joy at the revival of the awards ceremony after a seven-year hiatus.
“With the cooperation of all parties, the media awards have finally returned.
“I extend my congratulations to all our media friends in the state who truly deserve the recognition tonight.”
Onn Hafiz said the state government was ready to support upskilling and reskilling initiatives for media practitioners, including short overseas courses to enhance their professional development.
“We must ensure our media practitioners are able to stand shoulder to shoulder with their peers in Singapore and other countries.
“My office will also assist in facilitating future coverage in Singapore so that Johor’s achievements and collaborations with investors can be effectively highlighted,” he said.
A total of 296 entries were received in 24 categories, judged by a panel from the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI).
