Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman has been recognised as a recipient of the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2026 Award, marking a significant milestone in his extensive career spanning more than three decades within Malaysia's broadcasting and journalistic sectors. The seasoned media professional, who previously served as director-general of Broadcasting Malaysia (RTM), received the honour during the HAWANA 2026 Grand Finale held at PICCA @ Arena Butterworth Convention Centre in Butterworth on June 20.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim presented the award to Suhaimi in recognition of his sustained and meaningful influence on the country's media landscape. The presentation ceremony drew attendance from several prominent figures in Malaysia's political and media establishment, including Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, and Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai. The gathering underscored the national significance accorded to recognising exemplary contributions within the journalism profession.
Also witnessing the award presentation were Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, who serves as chairman of the HAWANA 2026 Working Committee, and Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj. The presence of senior leadership from Malaysia's primary news agency highlighted institutional acknowledgment of Suhaimi's standing within the broader media community.
Upon receiving the award, Suhaimi characterised the recognition as both deeply honourable and a substantial responsibility that would reinvigorate his commitment to continuous professional development. He emphasised that the accolade would propel him to persist in acquiring knowledge and disseminating insights gleaned from his extensive career, particularly as the media industry navigates unprecedented transformation driven by technological advancement.
In his remarks to Bernama, Suhaimi acknowledged the dynamic nature of contemporary journalism, highlighting how artificial intelligence increasingly shapes editorial practices and newsroom operations across the sector. He articulated that media professionals today face an imperative to remain perpetually engaged in learning, as emerging technologies demand adaptation of traditional journalistic methodologies and the acquisition of unfamiliar technical competencies.
"This recognition means a great deal to someone who is still learning. As media practitioners, we are constantly learning new things, especially in the AI era, which requires us to adapt and acquire new knowledge," Suhaimi stated, reflecting a perspective increasingly widespread among senior journalists confronting the industry's digital transformation.
The HAWANA award ceremony itself represents an annual institutional moment within Malaysia's media calendar, designed to celebrate journalistic excellence and honour practitioners whose work has meaningfully contributed to the profession's standing and public service mission. By recognising figures such as Suhaimi, the awards programme validates the enduring importance of professional journalism at a time when the industry faces multifaceted challenges ranging from digital disruption to evolving audience consumption patterns.
Suhaimi's three-decade trajectory within broadcasting and journalism positions him as a veteran witness to Malaysia's media evolution from the pre-digital era through successive technological transitions. His tenure at RTM, the country's national broadcaster, placed him at the helm of an institution responsible for shaping public discourse and information dissemination across the nation's population. The award implicitly recognises his stewardship during periods of substantial industry change.
The recognition arrives as Malaysian media institutions grapple with questions surrounding newsroom modernisation, economic sustainability, and audience engagement across fragmenting information ecosystems. Suhaimi's articulation of the imperative to embrace AI-driven tools while maintaining journalistic integrity and ethical standards reflects broader institutional conversations within Southeast Asian newsrooms confronting similar pressures and opportunities.
For journalism practitioners and media organisations throughout Malaysia and the broader region, Suhaimi's award serves as a public affirmation that accumulated experience and institutional knowledge retain value even as technological disruption reshapes operational landscapes. His characterisation of ongoing learning as a professional obligation suggests a framework whereby veteran journalists might model adaptive approaches for younger colleagues navigating career paths in media environments markedly different from those experienced by previous generations.
The HAWANA 2026 recognition ultimately signals institutional commitment to honouring journalism as a profession worthy of sustained professional investment and public recognition, even as the industry confronts significant structural challenges. Suhaimi's receipt of the award reinforces the proposition that Malaysia's media ecosystem benefits from practitioners grounded in deep institutional memory and professional experience who simultaneously embrace technological change.
