KUALA LUMPUR: Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan has praised journalists for their role in bringing government policies and initiatives to the public.
He said more than 40,000 media reports on his ministry’s work had been published since he took office on Dec 12.
“You play a very important role as the link between the government and the people, delivering information responsibly and ethically,” he said at the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) Media Awards 2026 tonight.
Describing the coverage as a proud achievement, he said it demonstrated the media’s important role in disseminating information to the public.
Ramanan said journalists helped take government announcements far beyond the venues where they were made.
“If I speak in a hall like this, there may be 500 people, but because of the friends here, millions will know.
“It’s a very big duty and a very big task. So I understand, it’s not an easy job, but all of you are capable and you are doing a fantastic job,” he said.
He said the Kencana Award, introduced for the first time this year, would recognise the best entry across all categories and represent the highest recognition for journalism with the greatest impact on society.
The New Straits Times’ Intan Maizura Ahmad Kamal won the inaugural Kencana Award.
Ramanan also highlighted Perkeso chief executive Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed’s position as president of the International Social Security Association, saying the appointment required votes from 165 countries.
“What we do in the Social Security Organisation is not first class in Malaysia.
“It is first class in the world, it is world class,” he said.
The minister also paid tribute to the late Makkal Osai senior editor Dr Rajan Gopal, who had served 50 years in journalism, including 15 years with the newspaper.
Also present were Perkeso chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal and Media Prima Bhd chief operating officer Datuk Mohd Effendy Othman.