KUCHING: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sarawak Tribune and Suara Sarawak, Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir, was honoured with the ASEAN CEO Icon Leadership Award at the ASEAN Sarawak Business & Economic Forum 2026 held at Hilton Kuching today.
Presented by Premier Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, the award recognises Jeniri’s transformative leadership and his significant contributions to the media industry and corporate landscape in the region.
Jeniri dedicated the award to the Sarawak Tribune and Suara Sarawak team who work tirelessly behind the scenes.
“Their integrity, dedication and commitment to accurate, balanced and responsible reporting form the foundation of everything we achieve,” he said during an interview with Sarawak Tribune and Suara Sarawak.
He said leadership in today’s media requires not only organisational management but also the courage to adapt, make data-driven decisions, and uphold journalism’s core values of truth, transparency and accountability amid rapid technological change and the rise of artificial intelligence.
He emphasised the media’s broader role in supporting Sarawak’s development and fostering regional understanding.
“We serve as a strategic partner in communicating Sarawak’s policies, aspirations and achievements to the people and the regional community,” he added.
Building on this responsibility, Jeniri also reaffirmed his organisations’ commitment to digital growth and regional expansion.
“We remain committed to strengthening digital transformation, expanding our reach across ASEAN, and developing young local talents capable of competing globally,” he said.
Joining Jeniri in the winners’ circle was Chairman of the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr Abdul Aziz Husain, who received the ASEAN Outstanding Business Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award for his enduring impact on Sarawak’s economic development.
The event highlighted innovation as a key driver for regional competitiveness.
The ASEAN Innovation Excellence Award was conferred upon Founder and Managing Director of Smart Rental, Joshua Chin; CEO of Neurogine Sdn Bhd, Owen Chen; Partner of Singularity Connect and CEO of Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics Accelerator Centre of Excellence (AMRACE), Naguib Mohd Nor; and President of China Submarine Cable Construction Co Ltd, Jiang Wei.
In the business excellence category, Founder and Managing Director of ASTEEL Group Berhad, Datuk Seri Victor Hii Lu Thian; Co-founder of YAST Group, Argenis Angulo; and Chief Operating Officer of Jiumoxa Malaysia, Desmond Ang, were recognised for their outstanding corporate achievements.
Entrepreneurial spirit was also a major focus, with Managing Director of Amalgamated Batteries Manufacturing, Datuk Tay Tze How, and President of Lukiven Business Group, Antonio Jose Moschella González, receiving the ASEAN Outstanding Entrepreneur Award.
Other notable leadership honours included the ASEAN Human Resource Leadership Award presented to Executive Director of Sarawak Skills, Hallman Sabri, as well as CEO leadership accolades for CEO of Chengdu Orange Light Universe Technology, Jia Mei Cheng, and Founding Chairman, President and CEO of Terra Firma Asia Sdn Bhd, Datuk Ho Fong Lee.
Themed ‘From Strategy to Scale: Competing in a Fragmented Global Economy’, the forum served as a high-level platform to celebrate excellence across various industries.
