From Cambodia scam empire scoop to CDL ‘family tree’: BT journalists, artists win SPH Media awards

[SINGAPORE] Journalists at The Business Times were recognised for their work over the past year at SPH Media’s English, Malay and Tamil Media (EMTM) annual awards on Tuesday (May 5). 

Goh Ruoxue – who joined the publication in August 2023 and covers South-east Asian economic, financial and business news – was awarded Story of the Year for her scoop uncovering Singapore’s links to a scam empire in Cambodia.

The story followed Prince Holding Group and its founder Chen Zhi, who was accused by US authorities of running scam compounds leading to billions of dollars in losses worldwide.

Goh’s story package featured fresh photos from her stakeouts, as well as several other visual components, including a video and a map to illustrate the complex web of individuals linked to Chen Zhi.

She said: “(This story) has affirmed my belief that no unrealised coffee chat, connection or crumb of information ever goes to waste, and a reminder to myself to stay inquisitive always.”

Goh was not present to receive her award in person as she is currently in the US as a Fulbright US-Asean visiting scholar at Georgetown University.

The other two BT winners received Excellence Awards.

Correspondent Paige Lim, who covers small and medium-sized enterprises and macroeconomics, was recognised for her stories tracking the falling footfall and eventual lease termination of Hao Mart’s Taste Orchard.

Lim was first drawn to the story from a viral video on social media showing the empty freezers and shelves at supermarket Eccellente by Hao Mart. She then made several visits to the mall and talked to some tenants, eventually receiving a tip-off regarding the lease termination.

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BT journalists recognised at annual EMTM awards

“I’m incredibly grateful to my editors for recognising the legwork behind these stories and for guiding me throughout the reporting process,” said Lim.

Executive artists Teoh Yi Chie and Hyrie Rahmat, along with BT’s former property correspondent Jessie Lim, took home the other Excellence Award for the story “Dynasty: Who’s who in the Kwek family tree behind CDL, Hong Leong”.

Their story followed the people and ties behind the City Developments saga. The team created two graphics – one interactive and the other static – mapping out a comprehensive CDL “family tree” feature that went on to become one of BT’s most viewed articles last year.

The story featured distinct graphics for online and print, and Hyrie said the goal was to make the necessary information accessible without oversimplifying or overwhelming readers.

“Creating a big infographic can sometimes feel like putting a jigsaw puzzle together,” said Teoh. “The reporter would source all the pieces, and we will have to put them together as soon as possible, with countless changes before offstone.”

Offstone is the moment at which an edition of a newspaper is finalised for printing.

BT editor Chen Huifen said that she is proud of the newsroom’s ability to adapt amid disruptions caused by artificial intelligence.

“Without journalists to uncover and create, AI would eventually have no new information to distil. In celebrating today’s winners, we reaffirm that human insight remains the heartbeat of this industry,” she added.

There were a total of 18 winners at the EMTM Annual Awards. Each award comes with a trophy and a cash prize of S$2,000.

The Straits Times journalists Wong Yang and Christie Chiu clinched the Editor-in-Chief Award for their video-format coverage on politics and jobs, appealing to younger audiences. They received an additional cash prize of S$3,000.

The annual ceremony honours the best work by journalists of the EMTM group in the past year. The group encompasses Berita Harian, The Business Times, The Straits Times, Tamil Murasu, Tech in Asia, SPH Radio and the recently revamped STOMP.