Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim presented the HAWANA 2026 Special Award to Azlan Idris in absentia at the National Journalists' Day main celebration held at the PICCA@Arena Butterworth Convention Centre on June 20, recognising the late broadcast veteran's enduring legacy in Malaysian media and journalism.
The award was received by Azlan's widow, Wan Syahrina Wan Abdul Rahman, in the presence of several senior government and media figures. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil attended the ceremony alongside Malaysian National News Agency chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, underscoring the significance accorded to Azlan's contributions to the nation's news landscape.
Azlan, who passed away on January 15 at the age of 57, left behind a career spanning multiple decades in broadcasting that proved transformative for Malaysia's radio journalism. His most notable achievement came through his leadership of Bernama Radio from its inception in 2007, where he was instrumental in establishing editorial standards and operational frameworks that shaped the station's development into a credible news and current affairs service.
Prior to joining Bernama, Azlan accumulated extensive experience across Malaysia's commercial broadcasting sector, having worked with major television networks including TV3, NTV7, and Channel 9. This background in both television and radio equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of multimedia journalism and audience engagement strategies that would inform his approach at Bernama Radio.
Beyond his core responsibilities as chief of Bernama Radio, Azlan demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the journalism profession itself. He took on leadership roles in organising Malaysia's premier industry celebration, serving as chairman of the main celebration committee for HAWANA from 2022 onwards. His stewardship of the 2022 event in Melaka set the tone for subsequent ceremonies, earning recognition from peers for his meticulous attention to detail and genuine passion for honouring journalistic excellence.
The decision to present Azlan with HAWANA 2026's special award reflects the broadcast community's acknowledgment of his quiet but significant influence on professional standards. While Azlan maintained a relatively low public profile compared to some media personalities, colleagues and industry figures recognised him as a steady hand committed to developing talent, maintaining journalistic integrity, and navigating the complex challenges facing news organisations during periods of technological and regulatory change.
Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, who chairs the HAWANA 2026 organising committee, was among those attending the ceremony alongside senior representatives from major local media companies. Their attendance reflected the regard in which Azlan was held across Malaysia's news and broadcasting fraternity.
The timing of this recognition comes during a period of significant change in Malaysian media, with news organisations facing pressures from digital disruption, shifting audience behaviours, and evolving regulatory frameworks. Azlan's tenure at Bernama Radio coincided with critical transitions in how audiences consume news, and his efforts to maintain journalistic standards and innovate within Bernama's public service remit become increasingly relevant as newsrooms grapple with sustainability and credibility challenges.
For Malaysian journalists and broadcasting professionals, Azlan's posthumous award carries particular resonance, serving as a reminder that industry recognition extends beyond headline-grabbing assignments to encompass steady institutional development, mentorship, and the foundational work that sustains credible journalism. His two decades-plus in the profession, split across commercial and public broadcasting environments, demonstrated how technical expertise and editorial commitment combine to create lasting value within news organisations.
The HAWANA 2026 special award mechanism allows the journalism industry to shine light on individuals whose contributions might otherwise remain overlooked by general public discourse but whose impact has genuinely shaped Malaysian media's trajectory. By honouring Azlan in this manner, the celebration's organisers signal commitment to recognising professionals who work primarily behind the scenes while advancing their organisations' missions.
Azlan's family, through Wan Syahrina's acceptance of the award, joins the broader Malaysian media community in this acknowledgment of his professional legacy. His absence represents a loss to Bernama Radio and the wider broadcasting sector, yet the HAWANA recognition ensures his contributions are formally documented and celebrated as part of Malaysia's journalism heritage.
