KUALA LUMPUR: New Straits Times Press took home two awards and a consolation prize at the 2024 Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Media Awards held tonight.
Harian Metro won two prizes in the Infographic category.
Noor Salim Mohamed Dawam and Muhamaad Razis Ismail took home RM3,000 cash after securing second place for their infographic titled 'Masjid Ihsaniah Iskandariah, Kampung Kuala Dal, Perak'.
Also from Harian Metro, Mohd Alhafiz Ithnin and Mohd Fahmy Mohd Hashim won third place for 'Menara Kerja Raya' and took home RM2,000.
They also received trophies and certificates.
New Straits Times reporter Aliza Shah won the consolation prize of RM1,000 and a certificate under Print Media and Portal Media (Special report).
Aliza won for her article titled 'Some contractors preying on gullible customers'.
In the Television and Online Video Broadcast Media category (Special Reports and Documentaries), TV3's Zery Francais, Mohd Zaiadi Md Nor, Mohamad Amirul Akmal Norazali and Muhamad Zaime Zakaria won third place for their video titled 'Kebanggaan Negara Merdeka 118'.
They took home RM2,000 cash, a trophy and a certificate.
Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan presented the awards.
Also present were ministry deputy secretary-general (management) Mohd Sakeri Abdul Kadir and CIDB chief Datuk Seri Mohd Zaid Zakaria.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Maslan, in his speech, said media representatives must be treated as strategic partners to help inform the public of the ministry's efforts and contributions.
He said it was important to build relationships with the media and encouraged officials to speak with journalists when approached.
"Let us not avoid them when they ask questions.
"At the very least, answer them, or at least offer a smile and a handshake, even if no comment is to be made.
"We must treat the media as strategic partners.
"Otherwise, how can we make our ministry better known and understood, and let the public know what we (the ministry) are doing for the people?" he said.