KUALA LUMPUR – The New Straits Times Press Group bagged four Malaysian Press Institute-Petronas awards which was held over the weekend.

New Straits Times group editor Datuk Syed Nadzri Syed Harun was named the winner in the Best Columnist/Critics/Commentary category which carries a cash prize of RM15,000.

Berita Harian journalists Norfatimah Ahmad and Nor Fazlina Abdul Rahim won the main Kajai award, taking home a RM30,000 prize.

Their expose on Immigration Department enforcement personnel at the Pulau Ketam jetty receiving RM60,000 worth of kickbacks each month to sneak in illegal immigrants from Indonesia earned them the prestigious journalism recognition.

The story led to a major reshuffle exercise at the department.

Norfatimah said the win was possible because of the strong support she and Nor Fazlina received from Berita Harian.

“It was the blessing of the Ramadan month, too, as we had to travel by ferry for seven hours one way to reach Tanjung Balai in Indonesia to work on the story.

“We also thank all our bosses, families and colleagues in Berita Harian for their continuous support to make this story possible.”

Two more Berita Harian journalists — Mohd Kamal Ahmad and Azrul Affandi — won the Best International Reporting and Best Feature category, respectively. Both received RM15,000 each.

Winners received their awards from Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim on April 29 at the MPI-Petronas Journalism Award 2010 and Malaysia Journalism Night 2011.

Also present were Media Prima Bhd executive director (news) Datuk Ahmad A. Talib, Berita Harian group editor Datuk Mior Kamarul Shahid, Berita Harian deputy group editor Mahfar Ali and Petronas executive vice-president (downstream business) Datuk Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin.