PETALING JAYA: Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai has been conferred the CHT Lifetime Achievement Award 2026, becoming the 14th recipient of the award.
The award, which recognises outstanding individuals and organisations for their contributions in their respective fields, was presented by Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Steven Sim at a ceremony here on Saturday (July 11), witnessed by CHT Network and CHT International Awards founder Datuk Chng Huck Theng.
Expressing his appreciation, Wong, 65, said he was honoured to receive the recognition from a Penang-based organisation, describing it as meaningful, especially as he was born and raised in the state.
"It is truly an honour to receive this award from YB Steven Sim, a fellow Penangite, and from a Penang-based organisation,” he said.
Wong noted that Penang has produced many distinguished journalists and holds a special place in the country’s media history.
He said the state was home to the country’s earliest English-language newspaper, The Prince of Wales Gazette, which began publication in 1806, while The Star was founded in Penang in 1971.
Wong also highlighted that the Penang-based Kwong Wah Yit Poh, established in 1910 by Chinese revolutionary leader Dr Sun Yat Sen, remains the world’s oldest surviving Chinese-language daily newspaper.
A journalism graduate of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Wong began his career as a reporter with The Star in Penang in 1984.
He rose through the ranks to become the newspaper’s youngest group chief editor at the age of 46 in 2008 before being appointed chief executive officer and managing director in 2013.
Wong also made history as the first Malaysian elected to the Paris-based World Editors Forum and later served as chairman of the Singapore-based Asia News Network.
Meanwhile, in his welcoming address, Chng said the CHT International Awards have, over the past 18 years, recognised more than 150 outstanding individuals and organisations, including entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, professionals, diplomats, ministers and internationally respected personalities.
He said since its inception in 2008, the awards have evolved into a respected boutique international platform recognising individuals and organisations whose achievements have made meaningful contributions to their professions, industries and society.
Chng said this year’s edition marked a significant milestone as, for the first time, two recipients were honoured with the CHT Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their exceptional lifetime contributions and enduring legacy.
Besides Wong, the other Lifetime Achievement Award recipient was renowned cartoonist Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid, better known as Lat.
The ceremony also honoured five recipients with the CHT International Achievers Award 2026 from Australia, Singapore and Malaysia, seven recipients with the CHT Excellence Award 2026 across various sectors, as well as two recipients of the CHT Emerging Entrepreneur Award 2026.
The biennial CHT International Awards, which originated in Penang, have been held in Kuala Lumpur for more than 15 years with the support of members of the Penang diaspora in the Klang Valley, while the INPenang International Awards continue to be organised in Penang. - Bernama
