Incoming IMF CIO and late batik artist named Berita Harian Achiever of the Year 2021

INCOMING International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief information officer (CIO) and information technology (IT) director, Shirin Abdul Hamid, as well as Cultural Medallion recipient and batik artist, the late Sarkasi Said, have been jointly named Berita Harian Achiever of the Year 2021.

In a press statement on Wednesday (Dec 22), SPH Media, which publishes the Malay-language daily, said the award is a recognition of Shirin's "outstanding achievements" in IT and volunteer work at the international level.

Shirin is set to assume her new role at the IMF on Jan 4, 2022. Since 2016, she was the director-general and CIO of the IT department at the Asian Development Bank in Manila, and previously spent 11 years at the United Nations Development Programme in New York as chief technology officer and director.

As a mother of 2 kids, the 54-year-old has also participated in several community initiatives, including building a clinic in a Kenyan village.

Separately Sarkasi Said, who went by the artist name "Tzee", was chosen in part for his contributions in showcasing Singapore batik to the world. His works have been exhibited in the US, France, Japan, New Zealand and in South-east Asia. He also served on committees for the Malay Heritage Centre Committee, National Arts Council and Modern Art Society. He passed away on Oct 14 this year at the age of 81 after being diagnosed with kidney failure.

Berita Harian/Minggu editor Saat Abdul Rahman said the award is in honour of Said's "extraordinary contribution to the arts and in inspiring the community".

Tng Ah Yiam, chief procurement officer of FairPrice Group, presented the award. Shirin was not able to attend the event as she was not in Singapore; her sister Zabrina Abdul Hamid received the award on her behalf. Sarakasi's son, Ika Zahri Sarkasi, received the award on his behalf.

Meanwhile national fencer and olympian, Kiria Tikanah Abdul Rahman, was named Berita Harian Young Achiever of the Year 2021, an award that recognises young inspiring Malay-Muslim Singaporeans aged 30 and below. The 21-year-old was among the 23 athletes who represented Singapore at the Tokyo Olympics in July.

The awards were given out in a ceremony at Grand Hyatt Singapore on Wednesday (Dec 22) evening, which saw Minister for Transport S Iswaran as the guest of honour. Organised by Berita Harian since 1998, the awards celebrate Malay-Muslim individuals for their achievements in their chosen field.

This year's winners were picked by a panel of 4 judges from the Malay-Muslim community in Singapore, chaired by Abdullah Tarmugi, former Speaker of Parliament. The other 3 judges were BH editor Saat; Dr Abdul Razakjr Omar, chief executive of the Specialist Care Group and Berita Harian Achiever of the Year 2013; and Suhaimi Rafdi, senior director at People's Association and Berita Harian Achiever of the Year 2012.