PETALING JAYA – Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has been honoured by public relations (PR) and communications practitioners for his stewardship in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Public Relations and Communications Leadership Award was presented to Dr Noor Hisham by the Public Relations and Communications Association of Malaysia (PRCA Malaysia) at the Malaysian PR Awards (MPRA) at a hotel here on Friday night.
Dr Noor Hisham has cut a commanding yet reassuring figure since the pandemic started peaking in March last year, delivering daily live addresses to an anxious nation.
His job was made even more difficult with bungling ministers and politicians who caused confusion by providing misinformation and contradictory statements.
Dr Noor Hisham had to gingerly balance between not slighting some of his bosses and providing clarity and assurance, as well as not mincing his words when it came to the reality of the situation.
“I receive this award on behalf of all frontliners. We are not out of the woods yet but together we can overcome this. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” Dr Noor Hisham said in his acceptance speech.
PRCA Malaysia president Andy See Teong Leng said it was not difficult to identify this year’s recipient of the leadership award.
Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham, with his calm tone, consistently kept the public updated, giving interviews and working long hours, reflecting his dedication, commitment, sacrifice and resilience in providing the best service for the people and nation in facing the pandemic.”
“His commitment to communication has demonstrated to us how important communication is in any crisis,” See added.
The organising committee had introduced a thematic approach called “Adapt for MPRA 2021”, a reflection of the fact that the industry has had to adapt in various ways in response to challenges brought about by the pandemic.
See, who is also principal partner and managing director of Perspective Strategies, added that since its inception in 2017, the MPRA has been recognising the best in the industry.
“It is a celebration of the entire PR and communications industry’s work, and more importantly its people. This year, 13 gold, 15 silver and 11 bronze winners were recognised by our panel of independent judges,” he said.
The scaled-down awards dinner due to Covid-19 SOPs saw a limited number of guests seated at only six tables; with most of the participants and winners in 14 categories joining in via teleconferencing.
The Campaign of the Year Award went to Ogilvy Malaysia for its “100 Reasons to Miss Hong Kong” integrated campaign for client Hong Kong Tourism Board. The campaign incorporated collaborations with local media, influencers, and other partners to remind Malaysians of their love for Hong Kong food and culture.
The full list of winners can be accessed here.
Executive committee member of PRCA and joint head of the MPRA 2021 committee Prof Mohd Said Bani C.M. Din expressed delight that the MPRA is back after a two-year hiatus.
“Despite challenges of the pandemic, PR practitioners are still required to deliver and adapt to changing circumstances and environment,” he said. “We believe it is timely for this 13th edition of the MPRA to be held to recognise, appreciate and honour the untiring commitment and dedication of practitioners.
“It is hoped that the MPRA will be seen as a platform that advocates for better recognition to further PRCA’s values, goals, and prestige,” he added.
Said Bani, who is founder and managing director of bzBee Consult, was among this year’s judges.
Others were Entrepreneurial Development and Cooperatives Ministry secretary-general Datuk Suriani Ahmad; McDonald’s Malaysia vice-president and chief marketing officer Melati Abdul Hai; New Straits Times group editor Ahmad Lokman Mansor; Strategic Public Relations general manager Stefanie Braukmann; Klareco Communications managing director and partner Dau Ming Seling; television host and Metamorfosa founding partner Rozina Aziz; and Petra News editor-in-chief Terence Fernandez, who is also managing editor at The Vibes. – The Vibes, December 20, 2021
