Suhaimi Sulaiman Honoured With HAWANA 2026 Award
BUTTERWORTH, June 20 (Bernama) -- After more than three decades in broadcasting and journalism, Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman today received the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2026 Award in recognition of his significant contributions to Malaysia’s media industry.
The former Broadcasting Malaysia (RTM) director-general received the award from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, 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 at the HAWANA 2026 Grand Finale at PICCA @ Arena Butterworth Convention Centre here.
Also present were Bernama chief executive officer and HAWANA 2026 Working Committee chairman Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.
Suhaimi described the recognition as both an honour and a responsibility, saying it would motivate him to continue learning and sharing his experience, particularly as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the media landscape.
“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,” he told Bernama.
He said being chosen by his peers in the media industry was a great honour and a recognition that motivates him to continue contributing to the country's media landscape.
“I am deeply touched that my fellow media practitioners chose me. Receiving an award for something you genuinely love doing is an extraordinary feeling.
“Although I was informed about it beforehand, I was still overwhelmed. In fact, if I had been given the opportunity to speak on stage earlier, I think I would have been in tears,” he said.
Reflecting on his time at the Department of Broadcasting Malaysia (RTM) and later TV Sarawak (TVS), Suhaimi said one of his key priorities was accelerating the shift towards digital media to ensure broadcasting platforms remained relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape.
“We know people no longer watch television news or listen to radio in the way they once did. Instead, they get their news through content that appears on the ‘For You Page’ (FYP) of mobile applications such as TikTok. So, we need to understand the language of TikTok, as well as search engine optimisation (SEO) and the algorithms that determine how content reaches audiences,” he said.
With more than 35 years of experience in the industry, Suhaimi, 64, began his career as an economics desk journalist at TV3 in 1990 before becoming one of Malaysia’s most recognisable news personalities.
He was involved in producing major programmes such as Buletin Utama, Nightline and Malaysia Hari Ini (MHI), and led special coverage of General Elections and the National Budget.
Suhaimi was also part of the founding team of Astro AWANI before being appointed its chief executive officer and editor-in-chief.
His career later saw him serve as Bernama chairman, TVS chief executive officer and director-general of Broadcasting Malaysia.
Beyond his leadership roles, Suhaimi is known for mentoring aspiring journalists and media leaders through journalism and strategic communications training programmes, including at the ASEAN level.
The Melaka-born media veteran is an alumnus of Malay College Kuala Kangsar and holds a Master of Business Administration from City University, Washington, United States.
Among the honours he has received are the MPI-PETRONAS Special Jury Award for Leadership in Journalism in 2019 and recognition as a CNN Journalism Fellow in 2014.
His passion for broadcasting is also reflected in his book, I Hate Reading the Teleprompter: My 25 Years in Broadcasting.
The HAWANA 2026 Award recognises his contributions, leadership and lasting legacy in advancing Malaysia’s media industry.
-- BERNAMA
