KUALA LUMPUR, 22 September: The mystical rainforest of Sarawak was brought to life today at The Royale Chulan Hotel to celebrate and honour the award winners and finalists of the inaugural Malaysia MICE Journalism Awards 2011.
Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) initiated the MICE Journalism Award (MMJA) in 2011 to recognize excellence in business events journalism. The award is jointly supported by the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) and Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
More than 30 entries were received for all three categories; Best Print Feature Category, Best Broadcast Special Report and Special Category – MICE industry in Sarawak.
MMJA award recipients
The winners are:
Best Print/Online Feature Category
Chin Mui Yoon (The Star, Kuala Lumpur)- Welcoming The World
Best Broadcast Special Report
Norzainah Zainal Abidin (Astro Awani)- Malaysia Di Hadapan Dalam Pasaran MICE
Special Category – MICE industry in Sarawak
Nursyazana Zulhimi (Bernama TV) – Sarawak Convention Bureau On Swot Watch
The finalists are:
Best Print/Online Feature Category
Mary Chin (Daily Express, Sabah)- Series on Sabah’s potential in MICE
Normawati Binti Muhamad Nor and Santhy Devi Ayadurai (Bernama Wires)- Sarawak Keep Its Trees Enroute To A World Class Mice Haven
Best Broadcast Special Report
Amanda Lopez (TV3)- MICE Mampu Menjana Berbillion Ringgit di Sarawak
Special Category – MICE industry in Sarawak
Yap Kuok Chian (Borneo Post, Sarawak)- Transforming the Landscape (The New Era for MICE in Sarawak)
Goh Cheah Hup (Smart Investor)- Unique Attractions
Experienced editors and senior journalists as well as leaders of the local MICE industry judged the entries. Winners were selected based on in-depth and thought-provoking reports on MICE.
The winners in each category walked away with an all paid convention package worth RM 10,000 to attend any journalism conference of their choice, plus RM 2,000 by cheque. Runners-up received RM500 in cheque and certificate.
Chairman of Tourism Malaysia, Datuk Dr. Victor Wee who presented the awards said: “The MMJA was an excellent initiative bySCB, and the partnership with MPI and BCCK has helped to add value to the credibility of this award. The increased awareness on MICE activities will assist Malaysia’s emergence as a globally competitive MICE destination.”
He added, “I hope we will see even more entries from the media for MMJA next year and I strongly encourage other state agencies to participate and promote this award. It is a great opportunity to showcase what each state can offer in terms of its MICE facilities and activities.”
In conjunction with the award ceremony, the night included a networking cocktail and dinner for guests of Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) and Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) who co-hosted the event. The night featured a taste of what Sarawak could offer in leisure and business tourism.
Chairman of Sarawak Convention Bureau, Dato’ Sri Dr. Muhammad Leo Michael Toyad Abdullah mentioned, “Sarawak is definitely capable in providing world- class meeting facilities for the many meetings and conventions to be held in the coming years.”
“The Sarawak State Government has invested heavily in the development of the first dedicated convention centre in East Malaysia the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK). The centre can cater for events for up to 5,000 people and provides great economic impact for the State,” he added.
The evening concluded with performances by Dua Space Dance Theatre Academy and Rain Kid Percussion Group, leaving guests mesmerised by the enchantment of a very special Sarawak Night.
