Singapore Honors Resilience at Berita Harian Achiever Awards 2026
National powerlifter and entrepreneur recognized for sporting excellence and overcoming significant personal hardship.
1Recognizing Exceptional Community Leaders
The Berita Harian Achiever of the Year 2026 awards ceremony, held at the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, honored individuals for their professional milestones and personal resilience. Organized by the Malay-language daily and sponsored by Maybank, the event celebrated winners who have significantly impacted their respective fields while overcoming various socio-economic challenges.
2Powerlifting Excellence and Advocacy
Farhanna Farid, a 34-year-old national powerlifter and former pharmacist, received the Achiever of the Year award for securing 14 world records. Beyond her personal athletic success, she actively supports women in sports through initiatives like the 'Lift Like A Girl' competition and serves on the executive committee of Powerlifting Singapore.
3Entrepreneurial Growth from Adversity
Nabill Shukry Johary was named Young Achiever of the Year 2026 for building his meat preparation business, Cheekies, from a modest $1,000 investment. Despite facing family financial hardship and supply chain disruptions during the 2022 chicken export ban, he scaled production to 500kg weekly and plans to expand into Malaysia by 2027.
4New Award for Overcoming Hardship
The inaugural BH-Maybank Perkasa award was introduced to recognize Singaporeans of any race who demonstrated resilience against socio-economic adversity. This new category marks a shift for the 28-year-old awards program, which is preparing for the newspaper's 70th anniversary by opening recognition to a broader demographic of individuals across the nation.
5Stories of Personal Transformation
The first recipients of the Perkasa award, Siti Nurhumaira Azman and Elizabeth Neo, were recognized for their perseverance. Neo, 37, utilizes her personal history of addiction and incarceration to provide empathy in social work, while Humaira, 26, continues her public policy career despite experiencing the tragic loss of her infant son.
6Philanthropy and Community Support
The award winners are actively reinvesting in their communities to foster future success. Nabill pledged $10,000 to establish a bursary at Republic Polytechnic for struggling students, while Farhanna continues to mentor athletes. These efforts align with the vision shared by Education Minister Desmond Lee, who emphasized the importance of paying success forward.
7Impact of Mentorship and Role Models
Farhanna Farid emphasizes that her greatest pride stems from helping others break their personal records rather than her own world titles. By creating a supportive environment for female athletes, she has successfully encouraged others to participate in powerlifting, demonstrating how individual achievement can catalyze broader participation and confidence within the community.
8Legacy and Future Outlook
These awards highlight the intersection of personal ambition and community service in Singapore. As winners like Nabill plan international expansion and others continue their social advocacy, the event serves as a platform for resilience. The recognition of these individuals underscores a commitment to celebrating everyday perseverance and strengthening the national social fabric.