PETALING JAYA: They are not celebrities, nor do they seek the limelight, yet their compassion has changed lives in ways that will shape Malaysia for years to come.
These everyday heroes took centre stage at the 11th Star Golden Hearts Award (SGHA), which honoured 10 inspiring individuals and organisations whose often unseen work continues to uplift communities nationwide.
This year’s recipients span key pillars such as wildlife conservation, community development, social welfare, environmental protection, biodiversity, and crisis and disaster relief.
The 10 winners are Lightup Borneo PLT, Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre, OrphanCare Foundation, RESPonsible Elephant Conservation Trust, REKAYU, Johnson Lam Hooi Liang, Capt K. Bala, Mohamed Nazri Prem Nasir, Chew Song Kong and Adrine Lee Mooi Keow.
Photo: AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
Star Media Group (SMG) group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt said the recipients’ contributions serve as a reminder that Malaysia’s true strength lies not only in its achievements or progress, but in the willingness of its people to care for one another.
Since its inception in 2015, he said, the award has grown into a national platform that recognises remarkable individuals and organisations who strengthen communities, protect the vulnerable and offer hope in times of need.
“The award not only honours recipients, but celebrates how compassion still holds the power to shape the lives of Malaysians,” he said at the awards ceremony here yesterday.
Chan said this year’s theme, “Recognising the Unsung, Inspiring the Next”, reflects this spirit, noting how each recipient motivates others through their acts of kindness, encouraging more people to care and to act.
He added that SMG strongly believes in the power of storytelling.
“Stories inspire us. They connect us and remind us that when one person chooses to care, others often follow,” he said.
“To our recipients, thank you for leading with empathy, serving with humility and showing that compassion requires courage.”
This year’s edition also welcomed McDonald’s Malaysia as a strategic partner, which introduced the inaugural McDonald’s Caring Hearts Award that celebrates Malaysians whose selfless efforts create meaningful impact in the lives of others, driven not by recognition but by a deep commitment to community well-being.
McDonald’s Malaysia was represented by its senior vice president and chief impact officer Melati Abdul Hai and corporate communications director Shamsidar Yahya at the ceremony.
Shamsidar said the SGHA serves as a reminder of the power everyone holds to uplift others.
She acknowledged the difficulty in selecting winners, given the outstanding work of all 568 nominees this year.
“Despite coming from different backgrounds and facing different challenges, we share one purpose – to make life better for others.
“Every one of you has done incredible work, and all of you are Malaysian heroes,” she said.
SGHA chief judge Tan Sri Dr Gooi Hoe Soon said the awards offer an opportunity to recognise Malaysians whose compassion, commitment and courage have touched lives and strengthened communities across the country.
Since 2015, the SGHA has recognised 100 winners, received more than 3,500 nominations and channelled over RM1.63mil to support impactful community initiatives.
“These numbers tell stories of lives touched, hope restored and communities empowered through acts of compassion,” he said. Reviewing this year’s submissions, Gooi said it is clear that these acts do not require grand gestures.
“These stories reveal the enduring strength of our shared humanity,” he said.
He commended the award recipients, noting that their work is a reminder that leadership begins with service and that kindness has the power to transform lives.
“You show us that hope can grow from our own communities, that courage can be gentle and that compassion can make a real difference.
“Your impact will continue long after today. May your stories inspire many more to uplift and serve others,” he said.
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 purposeful creations.
The team received an additional RM10,000.
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.
