Star Golden Hearts Award
We believe in acknowledging and rewarding individuals who make a positive impact on society. This serves as a foundation for creating more changemakers from all walks of life across the nation. Our (SGHA) is a collaborative initiative by The Star and Yayasan Gamuda, dedicated to honouring everyday Malaysians who have demonstrated making positive impacts on people and the planet, while fostering unity.
These are individuals who have made significant contributions across several realms, including supporting Indigenous communities, raising awareness and funds for autism, contributing to wildlife conservation, providing education to underprivileged students, and other impactful initiatives.
Annually, 10 outstanding individuals or groups are chosen as award winners of the SGHA. For the year 2023, 10 winners received RM15,000 each as a token of recognition for their exemplary contributions in making a positive impact on the lives of others and the environment.
The highly sought-after Gamuda Inspiration Award (GIA) by Yayasan Gamuda was presented to two exceptional social changemakers, namely the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and The MareCet Research Organisation, with both receiving grants amounting to RM150,000 each.
The past GIA winners are Iskul Sama diLaut Omadal (2022), Crisis Relief Services and Training (2021), Suriana Welfare Society Malaysia (2021), PWD Smart FarmAbility (2020), Seven Tea One (2020), Sujana Mohd Rejab (2019), UmieAktif (2018), Barefoot Mercy (2017) and Kedai Jalanan (2016).
The Star Golden Hearts Award and Gamuda Inspiration Award a joint initiative by The Star, Star Foundation, and Yayasan Gamuda to celebrate the work of unsung heroes who go the distance in helping those in need irrespective of race, culture and religion. Since 2016, we have contributed more than RM4 million to the annual cause that is reflective of the values we hold dear as an organisation to galvanise and recognise an entire ecosystem of humanitarian and inclusive initiatives.
Every year, the number of nominations received increases double fold. In 2020, more than 500 nominations were received. This is a reflection of the growing humanitarian ecosystem in Malaysia over the years when we received 100 nominations when SGHA first started in 2016. The nominations cut across all categories ranging from individuals, NGOs, social enterprises and companies. The range of benevolent, public-spirited and altruistic causes include education, environment and social purposes.
The charitable initiatives involve employment, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, digital literacy, waste management, nature conservation, urban agriculture, ecotourism, community welfare for the homeless and urban poor, disabled with special needs, water and sanitation in rural and indigenous communities, and animal welfare.
Each year, 10 outstanding individuals or groups are chosen as award winners and among them a Gamuda Inspiration Award winner will be selected to receive a grant of RM50,000 in contribution towards their cause. This resonates with our goal in empowering community-building efforts that leave a positive impact on the lives of others through socioeconomic development.
This year, the coveted Gamuda Inspiration Award (GIA) by Yayasan Gamuda was awarded to two out of the pool of 10 winners.
The winners for 2020 are social enterprises - PWD Smart FarmAbility and Seven Tea One. Past winners are Sujana Mohd Rejab (2019), UmieAktif (2018) , Barefoot Mercy (2017) and Kedai Jalanan (2016) .
The Star Golden Hearts Award honours and celebrates the work of unsung Malaysian heroes who go the distance helping those in need, irrespective of race, culture and religion – values that we hold dearly as an organisation.
And that's why we've been supporting the Star Golden Hearts Award (SGHA) since 2016: to encourage more Malaysians to rise and become better citizens.
Each year, ten individuals or groups are chosen as award winners. Out of the ten, a Star-Gamuda Inspiration Award winner is chosen to receive RM50,000 for their cause.
The winner for 2019 is Sujana Mohd Rejab. Past winners are UmieAktif (2018) , Barefoot Mercy (2017) and Kedai Jalanan (2016) .