The Star's Esther Ng receives World Woman Outstanding Editor Award

KUALA LUMPUR: Star Media Group’s chief content officer Esther Ng was awarded the World Woman Outstanding Editor Award by the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific on Monday (May 15).

The award was presented by Negri Sembilan Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud during the 2023 World Women Economic and Business Summit at the Intercontinental Hotel.

Ng said it was a tremendous honour for her and The Star to receive the award.

Ng, who was awarded for her efforts in leading The Star’s print and digital platforms, also said the struggle in ensuring gender equality must continue.

“Many people perceive that issues concerning women are women's issues. That must stop, because women's issues are not trivial,” Ng said.

According to Ng, women issues affect every aspect of governance and policy making in the country.

“Although women have made headway in all fields, the road to equality is a long struggle.

“In Malaysia, I’m very happy to say that we made progress on achieving equality, but there is still a long way to go,” added Ng.

Also present during the event was KSI president Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, director Datuk Dr Jessie Tang, and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

Meanwhile, Tuanku Aishah also presented the World Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement award to National Federation of Women Entrepreneur Association chairman Datuk Azlin Ahmad Shaharbi, Zafri Merican Architects and Associates Sdn Bhd Business Development Unit executive director Badariah Datuk Badaruddin and Cape EMS Bhd CEO Christina Tee.

The World Women Excellent Lifetime award was also given to Supermax Corporation Bhd co-founder Datin Sri Cheryl Tan, Vtar Institute CEO Tan Cheng Liang, and Shih Ti Zheng, a Buddhist nun from Taiwan.

Among others who received the World Woman Excellent Achievement Award was Marrybrown Sdn Bhd founder and group managing director Datin Nancy Liew, and Aerodyne group chief governance officer Azita Azizan.

The summit was supported by the Women, Family & Community Development Malaysia, Asean Economic Club (AEC), World Business Chamber, Women Institute of Management (WIM) Malaysia and National Council of Women Organisations (NCWO).

The summit - which is a platform for women leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals to exchange ideas, experiences and strategies to drive economic growth - was attended physically and virtually by 300 participants.

United Nations under-secretary-general Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana also delivered a special address to the summit via a pre-recorded video.

There were four interactive sessions during the summit on topics ranging from women in the economy, business, banking and finance, and management.

The sessions also provided insights into successes and challenges faced by women leaders and entrepreneurs, as well as ways to support women-owned enterprises and SMEs.