The Late Azlan Idris Named Recipient Of HAWANA 2026 Special Award

BUTTERWORTH, June 20 (Bernama) -- The National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2026 Special Award was presented posthumously to former Bernama Radio chief Azlan Idris at today's main celebration.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim presented the award to Azlan's wife, Wan Syahrina Wan Abdul Rahman, at a ceremony at the PICCA@Arena Butterworth Convention Centre, witnessed by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai.

Among those present were Bernama chief executive officer and HAWANA 2026 Organising Committee Chair Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, together with senior representatives of local media companies.

Azlan, who died on Jan 15 at the age of 57, played a pivotal role in the development of Bernama Radio following its launch in 2007 and previously worked with broadcasters TV3, NTV7 and Channel 9.

Azlan also played a key role in organising four HAWANA celebrations as chairman of the main celebration committee, a position he held from the 2022 event in Melaka, earning recognition for his dedication and commitment.

Meanwhile, Wan Syahrina, who is Bernama TV Channel and Content Manager, said she regarded the HAWANA 2026 Special Award as a major, meaningful and highly valuable recognition for her late husband.

“The HAWANA programme was very close to his heart, as he had led the organising committee for the main celebration since the second edition…once each year’s event ended, he would immediately begin planning for the next edition,” she said.

She said journalism and the media industry had always held a special place in Azlan’s heart since his move from banking to TV3 about 40 years ago.

Wan Syahrina said the award is a source of pride for the family and a valuable memory for their children, allowing them to remember their father as both a kind individual and a recognised figure in the media industry.

About 1,000 media professionals from Malaysia and overseas attended the HAWANA 2026 main celebration, themed "Media Integrity, Strengthens Credibility".

Hosted by the Ministry of Communications with Bernama as the implementing agency, HAWANA 2026 represents the highest national recognition of the dedication, achievements and professionalism of Malaysia’s media practitioners.

--BERNAMA