The Star Golden Hearts Award (SGHA) 2025 received more than 500 nominations, with judges praising the dedication of everyday Malaysians quietly serving their communities.
With McDonald’s Malaysia as a new partner, this year’s SGHA will expand its reach and debut the McDonald’s Caring Hearts Award to celebrate grassroots acts of kindness.
00:00With more than 500 nominees for this year's Star Golden Hearts Award, SGHA, judges say choosing among them has grown increasingly challenging, but also deeply inspiring, as every nominee is an unsung hero in their own right.
00:16Tanshri Dr. Gui Ho Soon, serving as Chief Judge for the first time, described the SGHA as a powerful way to honor Malaysians who give back quietly without seeking the limelight.
00:27This is something that I learned, that how do we recognize so many of the people who are actually doing this type of work quietly, but not recognized.
00:41I think that's a very good part for Star to actually take up. I hope they keep up their work. If they may not get the cards this year, they should continue to work hard on what they have aspired to do.
00:55And a lot of them have that vision to help out. I think that by itself is a good initiative on their part. A lot of this social work were not so-called highlighted, and they were still quietly doing it, which is very good.
01:17Star Media Group Chief Content Officer, Datin Paduka Esther Ng, said the growing number of nominees each year reflects how the public is learning more about what the SGHA is about.
01:29And I hope that more unsung heroes will be recognized because I think there are many out there and I think the bulk of it is still unknown and unrecognized.
01:39So this is Star's own way of celebrating them. I think the Star has always been a very compassionate media. We are not just here to do media work.
01:51We have proven that we are very big into ESG, very big on women issues, and we are big on CSR. I know there are so many of you out there. Don't stop what you're doing because Malaysia needs you.
02:04With McDonald's Malaysia as its new strategic partner, SGHA is set to broaden its reach and impact nationwide, inspiringly showcasing how many Malaysians go out of their way to help others.
02:15Being nominated for the Star Golden Hearts Award is already outstanding. It means you have made a difference to the nominee. So whether you are selected as a winner or not, it's not a big deal. This is an award, but whoever is not winning the award, they already have made a positive change in that community that they have helped.
02:40To me, this is really a good effort and please continue to do this. And these are the Malaysian heroes. We need more heroes like this in Malaysia.
02:50Child Protection Consultant Vijaya Kumari Pilai noted a shift this year from environment-focused causes to people-driven initiatives.
02:57A bit different from last year. Last year there were a lot on environment and research and coral grief, that kind of thing. This year is more human beings.
03:12Okay, but I'm very impressed with some. So far we have done conservation of animals. We've seen that. New things, like innovative, very original ideas.
03:28Other judges emphasise the SGHA's role in motivating nominees to keep serving society.
03:33They are doing good job. I think it's not about the money. The most important thing is the recognition. Because the recognition giving very big impact, I think, to organization or also to individual.
03:55Yeah. So recognition is very important. I think they feel that they're being recognized what they have done, though they're never asking, you know, to get reward.
04:14It's a very exciting time to actually recognize companies, groups, and also communities, and also individuals who have done and contributed tremendously for Malaysia.
04:29I don't think people do such work to win awards. People do that to contribute and make a change in the society.
04:39Certainly, never give up. Even if it is a small drop in the ocean, it is still a small drop. It makes an impact.
04:48The SGHA returns for its 11th edition to honour everyday Malaysians, whose compassion has made a lasting impact, having recognized over 100 individuals and organizations since 2015.
04:59SGHA 2025 will also debut the McDonald's Caring Hearts Award, honouring individuals or grassroots groups whose heartfelt acts of kindness have made a lasting impact.
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