Social Heroes honoured by IMSHA 2019

A Prince and a host of Heroes* – those honoured in previous years and those waiting to be unveiled – were gathered in this gala banquet.

His Highness Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Johor
congratulating the IMSHA 2019 social heroes on stage

*These heroes are not your usual superheroes who wear capes, masks or their underwear outside because they don’t have any superpowers but are social heroes who are going about doing selfless social work, unconditionally.

It was the much-anticipated event to celebrate unsung heroes in our community through the sixth Iskandar Malaysia Social Heroes Award (IMSHA 2019), graced by His Highness Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, the Tunku Temenggong of Johor.

The IMSHA, an annual community-led initiative driven by The Iskandarian newspapers and Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), aims to spot, recognise and support the good work done by the social heroes in our community.

My invitation to this annual gala event

This annual awards event has developed into the region’s premier recognition award for individuals and organisations engaging in community service and this year, the bar had been raised even higher as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were included as part of the scoring criteria.

This is because earlier this year, IMSHA had teamed up with the United Nations Country Team Malaysia to align the awards to the UN’s global goals and the 2030 Agenda.

In fact, the bar had been raised because the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were included as part of the scoring criteria.  

With this partnership, IMSHA is now recognised as a “Good Practice SDG Award Provider” by the United Nations Country Team Malaysia.  

This year, a total of 301 nominations were received from the public. These nominees were assessed against a Social Impact Rating System, which in turn was monitored by SIRIM. 

An additional layer of complexity was added to the judging where the nominees’ contribution had to fulfil either one of the seventeen SDGs as part of the scoring.

One for the album: The deserving social heroes in IMSHA 2019 with their awards and certificates

These shortlisted candidates were presented to a panel of seven judges known as the Leadership Council, who then selected the winners. 

IMSHA 2019 honoured a total of 20 award winners in 11 categories, ten for individuals, nine for CSO/NGOs and one company in the CSR category.

The 11 categories of the much-coveted (individual or organisation) awards are Animal & Wildlife Protection, Disaster Relief, Public Safety, Education Advancement, Environmental Preservation/Protection, Health Services, Human Empowerment, Poverty & Hunger Relief, Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Innovator, and Arts, Culture & Heritage.

IMSHA Chairman, Thanam
Visvanathan-Suresh

“IMSHA aims to recognise Civil Society Organisations (CSO), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Faith-Based Organisations (FBO), Corporations and Individuals for the exemplary work they do in serving the needs of our community. 

Through the awards, we hope to shine the spotlight on the value of volunteerism, and the need for all to share the responsibility of working towards a more inclusive, compassionate and effective society,” said IMSHA Chairman, Thanam Visvanathan-Suresh.

“Our comprehensive scoring system, which selectively measures performance across a range of indicators, ensures that the chosen winners are truly deserving. It cannot be over-emphasised that the IMSHA is an award that cannot be bought,” she added.

In her opening address, Thanam also acknowledged founding Chairman, Edey Suresh of The Iskandarian, who was instrumental in forging IMSHA’s partnership with the United Nations Country Team Malaysia.

While the dinner banquet was being served, the awards ceremony got underway as each of the Social Heroes were publicly recognised with the presentation of a certificate and a trophy.

Haji Shafie Ahmad receiving his award on stage

Every year I am impressed that IMSHA receives an increasing number of nominees – identified by the public – and how the shortlisted candidates were reviewed and duly considered by the Leadership Council before they reached a unanimous decision on the most deserving nominees.

As Thanam said, the winners were indeed the social heroes who are truly deserving.

So when the name of my friend, Haji Shafie, was announced as the Individual winner in the Arts, Culture & Heritage category, I clapped and cheered loudly.

Hj Shafie is my contact point for Malay culture and heritage in Johor and we share a working relationship that goes back many years.

Hj Shafie with his trophy and certificate

With his help, I had the privilege to share stories on the timeless beauty of Johor Busana – Johor traditional costumes – when these elegant outfits were presented by Yayasan Warisan Johor or the Johore Heritage Foundation.

I also had the pleasure to share in Malay culture and heritage experiences when the Foundation hosted a visit with members of the JB International Women’s Association, where Hj Shafie impressed them as a fountain of information and an exceptional host.

He probably did not know that I was seated in the hall because my phone suddenly signaled and when I looked, I saw several photographs of Hj Shafie with his IMSHA Award and his heart-warming message which reads:

“I believe you are one of them who always give me full support … thank you.”

The eloquent MC continued to announce the list of award-winners one after the other and when he introduced the winner in the category for Public Safely, my ears pricked up because he was describing someone familiar – Batcy Wong.

Batch Wong receiving her award on stage

The residents in Taman Kebun Teh and Melodies Gardens would also be familiar with her as she took the lead to help in the improvement in the safety and comfort for residents in that neighbourhood.

On a personal note, Batcy is the ideal person who took over as Class Administrator in an international Bible Study for ladies, when I stepped down after 12 years in that role.

So I happily joined the audience in loud applause as Batcy certainly deserved to win this year’s IMSHA award for Public Safety.

The full list of (Individual) Social Heroes honoured by IMSHA 2019 are:

1. Animal & Wildlife - Jeffrey Wong Hui Hin

2. Arts, Culture & Heritage - Haji Ahmad Shafie Bin Ahmad

3. Disaster Relief – Jamilah binti Zainal

4. Education Advancement - Thayala Rajah Selvaduray

5. Environmental Preservation & Protection - Aaduka Fairuz Sukses

6. Health Services - Azwana Hasan

7. Human Empowerment - Mrs Mageswari Moorthy

8. Poverty & Hunger Relief - Alex Tong Jee Leong

9. Social Innovator - Ms Chong Siew Hua

10. Public Safety - Batcy Wong

The full list of (Organisation) Social Heroes honoured by IMSHA 2019 are:

1. Animal & Wildlife  [No winner]

2. Arts & Culture - Orkestra Darul Takzim

3. Disaster Relief - Special Mention Award: Bomba Pasir Gudang

4. Education Advancement - NGO Kolektivis

5. Environmental Preservation & Protection - Green Earth Society (GES)

6. Health Services - St John Ambulance Malaysia

7. Human Empowerment - Baitus Solehah Caring Centre

8. Poverty & Hunger Relief - Free Market Johor

9. Social Innovator - Momo Love Concept

10. Public Safety - Persatuan Silat Kalimah Negeri Johor

11. CSR - Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd

Sharing the joy with Batcy Wong on her deserving win!

IMSHA 2019 was sponsored by Visionary Sponsors Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor (KPRJ) and Maslee Express; Advocate Sponsors AME Development Sdn Bhd; and Builder Sponsors Iskandar Investment Berhad and The Pasar; with Pulai Springs Resort as the official venue.

Nominations are invited from the public for nominees in the seventh Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards 2020 and may be submitted through The Iskandarian’s website, www.theiskandarian.com.

Further information on IMSHA is found on www.facebook.com/socialheroawards