PETALING JAYA: Twenty individuals and organisations making a difference in communities across Malaysia will take centrestage when the Star Golden Hearts Award (SGHA) 2026 holds its final judging session on Oct 8.
This year’s judging panel brings together expertise from across the corporate, media, sustainability, social welfare and social enterprise sectors.
The panel comprises AIA Berhad chairman Tan Sri Wee Hoe Soon @ Gooi Hoe Soon, Star Media Group (SMG) chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng, MySDG Foundation chief executive officer Anita Ahmad, former Social Welfare Department deputy director B. Vijayakumari Pillai, National Entrepreneurship Institute social entrepreneurship manager Muhammad Hafizul Khair Mohd Yusuf, ESGright Sdn Bhd principal consultant Prathab Vengadasalam and Pepper Labs Sdn Bhd managing director Thanaselan Rajendran.
This year’s judging will place greater emphasis on measurable and sustainable impact, reflecting the award’s continued effort to recognise individuals and organisations whose work creates meaningful change over the long term.
The finalists will present their work directly to the judges, followed by a question-and-answer session that will allow the panel to assess the impact of their initiatives beyond their written submissions.
Their work spans social welfare, community empowerment and education, disaster and crisis relief, as well as environmental and wildlife causes.
SMG group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt (pic) said the focus on sustained impact takes on added significance as communities navigate evolving social and economic challenges, making the continued commitment of individuals and organisations working to improve the lives of others all the more meaningful.
“SGHA 2026 seeks to recognise those who continue their work despite these pressures – not simply for the scale of what they do, but for the depth and longevity of their contribution,” he said.
Introduced in 2015, SGHA has recognised more than 120 individuals and organisations for their commitment to improving the well-being of communities.
Ten winners – five individuals and five organisations – will be announced at the SGHA 2026 award ceremony on Dec 8.
Each will receive RM10,000, a trophy and a certificate in recognition and support of their work.
Beyond the awards, SGHA seeks to give deserving changemakers greater visibility and credibility while providing a platform for their work to inspire others.
As SGHA heads towards its 2026 award ceremony, this year’s finalists are a reminder that even in challenging times, the commitment to doing good continues.
