Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) became the first organisation to receive the prestigious Berita Harian Achiever of The Year Award 2014 (Anugerah Jauhari 2014). Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong presented this award to the two Co-Chairmen of RRG, Ustaz Ali Haji Mohamed and Ustaz Hasbi Hassan. 

Organised by Singapore Press Holdings’ Malay daily, Berita Harian, the BH Achiever of the Year Award ceremony was held at Shangri-La Hotel on Aug 19. For the first time this year, the award was opened to organisations as well as individuals.

PM Lee, who was the event's Guest-of-Honour, said: “RRG’s work has been invaluable not only in fighting extremist ideology, but also in maintaining religious and racial harmony in our society, strengthening trust between government and the community and keeping Singapore safe.”

Another award presented that evening was the Berita Harian Young Achiever Award 2014 (Jauhari Harapan 2014). This award recognises young inspiring Malay/Muslim Singaporeans aged 30 and below. This year’s winner, Ms Saiyidah Aisyah Mohammed Rafa’ee, not only won Singapore’s first rowing gold medal at the SEA Games in Myanmar last year, she also managed to convince Sports Singapore to include the sport when Singapore hosts the games in 2015! Along with the award, she also received a $5,000 cash award, sponsored by Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS).

Mr Saat Abdul Rahman, Editor of Berita Harian, said: “This award is Berita Harian's small gesture in motivating young Malay/Muslims who has shown the potential to achieve greater heights. We hope this award will spur the individual to continue to work hard and pursue his or her dream, and while doing so, inspire other young Malay/Muslims to achieve their goals.”

This annual award, now into its 16th year, honours Malay/Muslim individuals for their achievements in their chosen fields, be it education, business, arts and culture, sports, the professions or social work.

This year’s winners were selected by a panel of four judges from the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore and led by Mr Saat. The qualities that the judging panel looks for include perseverance, determination, integrity and the ability to overcome odds. Above all, the winner must be a role model for the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore.

For more information on partnership opportunities for Berita Harian, please contact Candy Cheah at 6319-8206 or e-mail ccheah@sph.com.sg.