Penang: 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 conferred the award to Azlan's wife, Wan Syahrina Wan Abdul Rahman, at a ceremony held at the PICCAArena Butterworth Convention Centre. The event was also attended by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azlan Idris, who passed away on January 15 at the age of 57, significantly contributed to Bernama Radio's growth since its inception in 2007. He had previously worked with TV3, NTV7, and Channel 9. Azlan also played a crucial role in organizing four HAWANA celebrations, serving as the chairman of the main celebration committee from the 2022 event in Melaka, and was recognized for his dedication and commitment.
Wan Syahrina, who is the Bernama TV Channel and Content Manager, expressed that the HAWANA 2026 Special Award is a significant and meaningful recognition for her late husband. She mentioned that the HAWANA program was very dear to Azlan, as he had led the organizing committee for the main celebration since its second edition. She noted that Azlan would start planning for the next edition as soon as each year's event concluded.
She further shared that journalism and the media industry had always been central to Azlan's life since his transition from banking to TV3 about 40 years ago. Wan Syahrina emphasized that the award serves as a source of pride for the family and a cherished memory for their children, allowing them to remember their father as both a kind person and a recognized figure in the media industry.
The HAWANA 2026 main celebration, themed "Media Integrity, Strengthens Credibility," was attended by approximately 1,000 media professionals from Malaysia and abroad. 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.