By DAVID TAN
Tuesday, 26 Oct 2021
GEORGE TOWN: Acclaimed journalist Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai has been accorded a lifetime achievement award.
The multiple award-winning journalist, however, humbly describes the latest trophy as a tribute to his colleagues and The Star.
“The award is more than a personal tribute. The award recognises the professional support and cooperation my colleagues in The Star have provided during my career with the company.
“It is timely as The Star is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
“The Star was born in Penang, like me,” Wong said.
Wong, 60, an adviser to Star Media Group (SMG), is one of the four recipients of the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific (KSI) lifetime achievement award.
Honoured: Wong receiving the award from Ahmad Fuzi. Looking on are Yeoh (second from left) and state trade and industry and entrepreneurial development committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain.
He is currently an adjunct professor at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Social Sciences and Humanities Faculty, where he conducts lectures.
The other recipients were Farlim Group chairman Tan Sri Lim Gait Tong, Aspen (Group) Holding Limited executive deputy chairman Datuk Seri Nazir Ariff and Penang Heritage Trust vice-president Khoo Salma Nasution.
Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak presented the awards at the Penang Future Forward Summit forum organised by KSI, Wawasan Open University (WOU) and Malaysia International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI).
Among the VIPs present were KSI president Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, MICCI chairman Michael Crombrugge and WOU chairman Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
Wong said Penang was the birthplace of many journalists working in the media industry today.
“Penang, the hub of independent and critical thinking, is also the birthplace of Prince of Wales Island Gazette and The Straits Echo, the country’s earliest newspapers.
“My career, too, started in Penang. I grew up here, a true bred Penangite, and my first and only job is with The Star,” he said.
Wong’s primary and secondary education was at St Xavier’s Institution before he went on to pursue his tertiary education at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
“I joined The Star in Penang in 1980 for a short stint before going to UKM and rejoined The Star in 1984 – a day after I finished my exam,” he said.
Wong said he was eventually transferred to Kuala Lumpur in 1990 and after 35 years, he has remained with SMG.
