By Stephanie Jacob
KiniBiz’s Chan Quan Min has been named the NPC Online Journalist of the Year at the NPC Awards Night 2014 at a ceremony held at the Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
Fellow KiniBiz journalist Kharie Hisyam had also been shortlisted in the same category.
Chan beat Astro Awani and The Star Online to bag the award.
The prize comes with RM5,000, a return economy MAS flight ticket to Dubai and a trophy.
The awards are held annually, and aims to recognise exceptional journalists who have made their mark in the industry. Chan received his award from Minister of Communication & Multimedia Shabery Cheek.
“This is a great honour for KiniBiz to be awarded top recognition for Malaysian online journalism in just its first year of operations,” said KiniBiz joint CEO and publisher P Gunasegaram.
“It is worth noting that we have two finalists in the top five. KiniBiz will take heart from the award and will continue to bring to its readers a superior experience in business news, commentary and analysis.
“We would like to congratulate both Khairie Hisyam and Chan Quan Min,” added Gunasegaram.
Chan was particularly pleased with his win as he has only been a business journalist for a year and was pleasantly surprised.
Chan Quan Min
“This award is not just for me; it is a win for KiniBiz and her young team of journalists. This award is also a win for free, independent online media and our take on business news.
“I am also very grateful for all the support I have received from everyone at both KiniBiz and Malaysiakini. I’d like to congratulate Khairie Hisyam on also being nominated,” said a jubilant Chan.
Among the other winners of the NPC Awards are:
- Journalist of the Year – Azrai Mohammad, Utusan Malaysia
- Young Journalist of the Year – Tharanya Arumugam, New Straits Times
- Best Media Organisation (Community Service) – Star Metro
- Best Reporter (English medium) – Bavani Mahalingam & Hariati Azizan, The Star
- Best Reporter (Chinese medium) – Bryan Liew Yu Phin, See Hua Daily News
- Broadcast Journalist Award – Amin Hayat Abd Rahim, TV9
- Photographer of the Year Award – Azhar Mahfof, The Star
- Best Reporter (Sabah) – Roy Anthony Goh, New Straits Times, Sabah
- Best reporter (Sarawak) – Sharon Ling, The Star, Sarawak
- Media Legend Award – the late Zainon Ahmad
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Tan Yoke Swee
KiniBiz is also in the running for the prestigious SOPA (Society of Publishers in Asia) Awards 2014, having been nominated in the Excellence in Business Reporting, Category B.
The SOPA Awards for Editorial Excellence were established in 1999 as a tribute to editorial excellence in both traditional and new media, and were designed to encourage editorial vitality throughout the region. The awards cover a broad range of categories reflecting Asia’s diverse geo-political environment and vibrant editorial scene.
The entry up for consideration is titled ‘On the trail of 1MDB’s billions – a tale of fortunes lost’. It investigates the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) sovereign fund and dissects its many questionable billion ringgit deals in two series here and here.
The SOPA Awards for Editorial Excellence were established in 1999. According to the Society, the awards aim to be a “tribute to editorial excellence in both traditional and new media, and were designed to encourage editorial vitality throughout the region.”
Also nominated in the same category as Kinibiz, is the South China Morning Post and The Edge Review. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner on June 11, 2014 in Hong Kong.
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