The Star’s Elan Perumal, late Irene Fernandez among the recipients of Suhakam awards

KUALA LUMPUR: The Star journalist Elantiraian Perumal is one of the eight winners who have received an award from the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) in recognition of his reports on human rights issues.

The late Irene Fernandez, who was Tenaganita executive chairman, was honoured for her outstanding and tireless effort in defending the rights of the marginalized groups including domestic and migrant workers, women as well as refugees.

Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS) received an award in the Organisation category for its significant work in the promotion of women's equality and elimination of violence against women and chosen, as well as in empowering young women in rural areas in Sarawak.

Perumal and Wan Noor Hayati from Berita Harian were honoured with print media awards for their investigative reporting in uncovering truths on human rights issues that affected the rights of the grassroots communities.

Radio station BFM89.9 received an award in the broadcast media category for demonstrating fair and balanced reporting on community, social justice as well as human rights issues of public concern.

DiB (deaf-in-business) Coffees of Hawaii won in the new business category in recognition of it's commendable effort to provide equal employment and capacity building opportunities for deaf people toward promoting a rights-based business approach.

Markas Angkatan Bersama from the Malaysian Armed Forces is honoured with an award in the government agency category for its voluntary initiative in providing informal education for the underprivileged children in Pulau Berhala, Sandakan since 2009.

A special award was also conferred by Suhakam on Hafrulidzwan Mohd Isa for his continuous efforts in promoting human rights best practices and the Convention on the Rights of the Child among school communities.

All winners received RM2,000, a certificate and plaque.

Suhakam’s 2014 Human Rights Awards was held in conjunction with Suhakam Day, a day to commemorate the gazettement of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act or Suhakam Act by the Malaysian Parliament on Sept 9 1999.