2024
Soon Li Wei, Feature writer, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), Kuala Lumpur. Li Wei writes on a range of issues, including the environment, climate change, human rights, consumerism and lifestyle. In June 2022, she contributed to an investigative report on illegal logging and its impact on the biodiversity and indigenous community in peninsular Malaysian state of Kelantan. She has set her sights on improving BERNAMA’s climate and science reporting.
2022
Robin Augustin, News Editor, Free Malaysia Today, Kuala Lumpur. Robin started out in public relations before he saw the light and switched to journalism, and has not looked back. He started as a stringer for the New Straits Times before joining FMT and now drives the news, and supervises and trains reporters. He is interested in photography.
2018
Liew Teck Lai is a reporter with the Chinese-language Sin Chew Daily News, covering education and digital science development. For his AJF research project, he wants to find out about Singapore’s efforts in digital technology education for a comparison with what is being done in Malaysia. Teck Lai likes reading, arts performances, photography and travelling. His friends call him “Lighter” (we’ll find out why in July).
2017
Koh Chiew Heong is a senior reporter with Sin Chew Daily in Kuala Lumpur and she covers controversy, politics and social issues. She is a reporter, columnist and regular video presenter on issues of the day. During the AJF she wants to understand how academics and politicians from Singapore view the upcoming general election in Malaysia.
Sharmilla Ganesan is a former chief reporter of The Star in Kuala Lumpur. Cutting her teeth in journalism, she covered everything from fashion and food to education, environment and gender issues. Along the way she developed a passion for arts and culture, and believes there is a need to encourage and develop culture journalism in Southeast Asia. That will be her AJF project, with a special focus on the arts, literature and film.
2016
Patrick Christopher Lee. Journalist, The Star, Kuala Lumpur. Patrick covers transport and environment but has varied interests, from outdoors to writing comedy sketches, as well as a background in IT. His AJF project will focus on cyber security and the rise in cyber attacks in Asia.
2015
Aidila Razak. Aidila is the assistant news editor at Malaysiakini, assisting the chief editor in managing the newsroom. She wants to research the trade of migrant workers into Malaysia for a series in Malaysiakini.
2013
Karen Kesawathany Arukesamy. Journalist at The Sun, Kuala Lumpur, reports on general news, including politics, social and human rights issues. Project: Media role in influencing the welfare of vulnerable communities in Malaysia.
2012
Noelle Lim Li-Jek. Presenter and producer of the morning show of BFM, a business radio station, BFM 89.9 radio (English), Kuala Lumpur. Freelances for Edge and other publications. Project: Renewable energy.
2011
Niki Cheong. Deputy editor, R.AGE, Star Publications, Kuala Lumpur. Writes and edits for a weekly youth section in the Star, and runs its social media initiatives. Topic: Journalists’ use of social media.
2010
Chee Yoke Heong. Editor with Third World Network, an international NGO based in Kuala Lumpur that focuses on development and social justice. Two-time winner of ADB Institute’s journalism awards. Interested in studying FTAs.
2009
Karen Yap. Financial reporter at Mergermarket Group, Kuala Lumpur. Plans to research organ trading.
Leong Siok Hui. Travel and tourism writer at The Star, Kuala Lumpur. Plans to research sustainable tourism