PETALING JAYA: The Star has won two top awards at the Agrobank Media Awards 2025.
Journalist Rebecca Grace Rajaendram was presented the Print Media and News Portal (Best News Article) award.
The 36-year-old received RM5,000 and a trophy for her article "Getting youth into farming", which highlights the importance of leveraging Gen Z and their tech expertise to grow the agriculture sector.
The article was featured in StarEdu, the education pullout published on Dec 22, 2024.
Meanwhile, chief reporter Jade Chan won the Best Features Article award, taking home RM5,000 and a trophy for her story "Sowing seeds of self-reliance among youths with special needs".
In her Jan 7, 2025, article that appeared in StarMetro, Chan wrote about two community gardens in Selangor that help differently abled young adults develop their green thumbs, cultivating not just plants but also self-esteem, communication and social skills.
Held at a hotel here on Wednesday (May 21) night, the ceremony recognised the work of media personnel who report on the agricultural sector, which plays an important role in ensuring the country's food supply.
The ceremony also witnessed the launch of the Agro Biz Awards 2025, an award to recognise excellence and outstanding contributions by industry players in strengthening the nation's food security agenda.
Jointly organised by Agrobank and the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI), the event featured six award categories, including the Online Video and Television Broadcasting Media Award, the Radio Media Award and the Agrobank Technology and Digital Award.
Present were Agriculture and Food Security Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, Agrobank president and chief executive officer Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin, MPI CEO Ainol Amriz Ismail, SMG chief operating officer Lydia Wang and deputy executive editor Christina Chin, who received the award on behalf of Rebecca.
