SMG charts 55 years of progress

One for the album: Wong (seventh from left) with SMG group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt (fifth from left) and others at the launch marking SMG’s 55th anniversary and the unveiling of its commemorative logo at Menara Star in Petaling Jaya. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Star Media Group Berhad (SMG) marks the launch of its 55th anniversary celebration with a logo symbolising an upward trajectory.

Reflecting on the company’s vision for nation-building, the logo with interlocking digits “5–5” symbolises integration within the ecosystem and its role as an active contributor that drives collective progress and raises standards for the years to come.

SMG chairman Tan Sri Wong Foon Meng said the milestone marked decades of hard work that reflected the company’s growth from a humble newspaper in Penang in 1971 into a multi-­platform media group today.

“Our theme this year is ‘Inspiring Progress, Shaping Tomorrow’.

“It reflects where we are today and where we want to go next,” he said at the ceremony that was followed by a festive lunch in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri at Menara Star yesterday.

Wong said the respect for the audience and a sense of duty to the country were the values that had carried them throughout the years.

“Today, we span print, digital, radio, events, business platforms and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) initiatives.

“We are proud of this evolution because it was built responsibly,” he said.

Wong also said the media business today was very different from what it once was.

“With news available from va­rious sources, our company’s growth is guided by strategy and accountability towards the community.

“New tools, including data and artificial intelligence, must be used responsibly,” he said.

“They should help journalists do better work, not replace judgment and ethics.

“We have built trusted platforms with purpose over the years,” Wong added.

Citing examples, he said Star Outstanding Business Awards supports small medium enterprises nationwide while Star­Property and Malaysia Developer Awards set industry benchmarks and bring leaders together.

“Sustainability and good governance are also part of how we build long-term values.

“Starting this year, we are putting in place steps to roll out a five-year sustainability plan with clear ESG priorities and targets to guide how we allocate resources, engage stakeholders and track progress across the group,” he said.

Wong also said that the company’s community and education programmes, such as the Star Golden Hearts Award and Star Education Fund, among others, continue to address real needs on the ground.