PETALING JAYA: Ten inspirational organisations and individuals have been honoured as winners of the Star Golden Hearts Award (SGHA) 2025.
The organisations and individuals had been chosen by judges after a difficult selection process which saw an initial total of 568 nominations for the 11th edition of SGHA.
Star Media Group (SMG) group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt said this year’s winners had continued to remind SMG that true progress is reflected in our fellow Malaysians’ spirit of compassion.
“We have gathered not only to honour our award recipients, but to celebrate the fact that compassion still has power, and that kindness continues to shape who we are as Malaysians.
“Their contributions remind us that the heart of Malaysia is found not only in achievement or progress, but in our willingness to care for one another.
“Let us continue to believe in the power of storytelling and remind us that when one person chooses to care, others are encouraged to follow,” he said during the SGHA ceremony on Thursday (Nov 20).
Themed “Recognising the Unsung, Inspiring the Next", he added that this year’s SGHA has grown into a national platform to recognise remarkable individuals and organisations who help others and their communities.
SGHA chief judge Tan Sri Dr Gooi Hoe Soon said the awards showcased the enduring nature of Malaysians’ collective humanity and desire to make the world a better place.
“As we reviewed the stories this year, it became clear that acts of compassion do not need grand gestures but can begin with the recognition of another person’s need and the willingness to respond with empathy and action.
“The finalists’ and winners’ work reminds us that leadership begins with serving others and that kindness can change lives.
“May your impact continue long after today with every life and community you touch adding to a growing circle of care and inspiring others to stand together and make a difference,” he said at the ceremony.
This year’s awards also saw a new strategic partnership with McDonald’s Malaysia which marked the debut of the McDonald’s Caring Hearts Award, a special recognition to honor individuals or grassroots groups whose acts of kindness have uplifted lives in profound or lasting ways.
McDonald's Malaysia corporate communications director Shamsidar Yahya said this year's SGHA was difficult to judge due to the incredible work that has been done by all nominees.
“We at McDonald's Malaysia strive beyond serving great food but also to feed and foster the communities around our restaurant as we believe doing good starts with being a good neighbor.
“Just like us, these stories of courage and resilience remind us that the spirit of giving back and caring for one another is still alive and strong in Malaysia.
“Despite having different backgrounds and different challenges, we share one shared purpose, to make life better for others,” she said.
She also praised the Awards and winners for their amazing work in giving back to the community.
“Every single finalist has done incredible work, and all of you are Malaysian heroes," she said.
During the ceremony, a certificate of appreciation was also given to Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, who had previously served as SGHA chief judge for a decade from 2015 to 2024, by SMG chairman Tan Sri Wong Foon Meng, during the ceremony.
“Throughout this period, Lee has not only lent us his time and leadership, but also his heart, his wisdom and his unwavering belief in the goodness of Malaysians.
“His guidance has ensured that this award remains true to its purpose and his dedication has helped this award grow into a national platform that recognises kindness, uplifts community work and inspires many more to care," Wong said.
In accepting the award, Lee expressed both his gratitude for being recognised as well as his hope for the future of the awards.
“Thank you once again for the honour and opportunity SMG has given to me to serve as chief judge for the past 10 wonderful years.
“May the spirit of the Star Golden Hearts Awards continue to flourish, and may we keep recognising more unsung heroes across our beloved country,” he said.
Various causes were recognised at this year’s SGHA from child welfare and education, food security, community development, wildlife conservation, disaster relief, social welfare, and sustainability.
This year’s 10 winners were Lightup Borneo, RE-KAYU, Tropical Rainforest Conservation & Research Centre, Orphancare Foundation, RESPonsible Elephant Conservation Trust (RESPECT), Johnson Lam, K. Balasupramaniam, Mohamed Nazri Prem Nasir, Chew Song Kong, and Adrine Lee Mooi Keow.
Group winners received RM10,000 each, while individual recipients took home RM8,000 each.
REKAYU was also named the recipient of the McDonald’s Caring Hearts Award, in recognition of its efforts to empower underprivileged youths and ex-offenders with carpentry skills by upcycling wood waste into meaningful creations.
The team received an additional RM10,000.
The award ceremony’s atmosphere was also exhilarated by a special musical performance from Zimi’J, a neurodivergent rock band composed of musicians with autism, who had been taught by SGHA 2022 winner Edwin Nathaniel.
Nathaniel is well-known for having dedicated his life to providing free music therapy and lessons for the special needs children, giving them a way to express themselves.
The performance saw the band sing popular songs such as Stand by me, Gemuruh, and Standing in the Eyes of the World, with the energised crowd also joining in to sing with the band.
The SGHA is an annual award by The Star that celebrates everyday Malaysians who demonstrate exceptional dedication to social work and foster unity among communities.
Each year, Malaysians are invited to nominate outstanding individuals or organisations.
For more details, visit sgha.com.my.
