KUALA LUMPUR – The Media Prima Bhd group bagged five Malaysian Press Institute-Petronas Journalism awards last night.

These include awards in the Best International Reporting category, which was won by New Straits Times journalist Iskandar Alang Bendahara for his article “The Spirit of Rachel Corrie mission to break the illegal siege of Gaza waters”.

“This month marks my 8th year as a journalist with NST and my winning tonight made this anniversary sweeter,” said Alang, who took home RM15,000, a plaque and certificate.
“I am thankful to my bosses for putting their trust in sending me for such an important assignment to Gaza.”

The New Sunday Times editor Chok Suat Ling and NST training editor Azmi Anshar jointly won the Best Column Writing/Commentary award and walked away with RM15,000, a plaque and a certificate, while Berita Harian reporter Hasan Omar clinched the Best Feature Writing award.

TV3′s R. Puspavathy and Nor Azizul Mohd Isa won the Best News Video award, while Shaharil Kadir and Aji Saregar Mazlan secured the Best Documentary Video award.

Mohd Asron Mustapha and Mohd Termizi Che Anuar from Utusan Malaysia won the Kajai award for their article on the dirty water issue in Kelantan. They walked away with RM30,000 and a 100g gold coin worth about RM19,000.

The prizes were presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Award Winners List

Documentary Video
Shaharil Kadir and Aji Saregar Mazlan (TV3)

International Reporting
Iskandar Alang Bendahara (New Straits Times)

Feature Writing
Hasan Omar (Berita Harian)

Column/Commentary
Chok Suat Ling (New Sunday Times)
Azmi Anshar (New Straits Times)