The Star‘s journalists made a clean sweep of the news and features categories in the English language section of the state’s Green Journalism Awards.
The four journalists who won all five awards for articles on environmental issues to make Penang a “greener” place are Josephine Jalleh, Andrea Filmer, Christina Chin and Winnie Yeoh.
Jalleh, 25, said she nearly did not send in her winning entry (Forest Raiders, Penang Main, Feb 12, 2012) for the competition.
Her piece, which won the Excellence Award in the news category, had exposed local syndicates with foreign connections that were allegedly felling the prized gaharu (agarwood) trees illegally.
Filmer, 28, who won the Excellence Award in the features category, paid tribute to the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP).
“Credit should really go to CAP the subject of my story (Sowing seeds of success, Metro North, Feb 14, 2012), and similar NGOs.”
Chin, 34, took home the Special Jury Award for both the news and features categories (Greening project at sanctuary for turtles, Main, April 16, 2012 and Gardens flourishing again, Metro North, Sept 2, 2011).
Yeoh, 27, grabbed the Special Jury Award in the news category (Retiree who still has earning power, Penang Main, Dec 10, 2011).
The four took home RM3,800 for their collective effort.
In the Malay language section, Sinar Harian’s M. Gokina won the Special Jury Award in the features category.
There were no winners for the Excellence Award in the features and news and categories for the Malay language section.
Nanyang Siang Pau’s Lai Thiem Wah bagged the Excellence Award in the Chinese language section of the news category.
The contest was organised by the state government, Penang Green Council, Han Chiang College, KDU College and Two Studio.
State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh presented the awards to the winners at Komtar yesterday.
