Wong (second left) explaining about KJA 2015 to Adenan while others look on.
Adenan with the organising committee and representatives of the main sponsors after the courtesy call.
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem has assured journalists in Sarawak of continuous support to organise the Kenyalang Journalism Awards (KJA) (formerly called Shell Kenyalang Press Award).
He gave this assurance to the organising committee led by KJA organising chairperson Phyllis Wong when they paid a courtesy call on him at his office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia in Petra Jaya yesterday.
At the same time, he proposed that online news also be considered for the awards.
The courtesy call was to invite the Chief Minister and his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu to be guests-of-honour at the inaugural KJA awards to be held on Dec 18 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
This year, the KJA awards is solely organised by Federation of Sarawak Journalists Association (FSJA) in collaboration with the state government – the main sponsor of the prestigious journalism event – as well as State Information Department.
In addition, there are also corporate sponsors – Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), Sarawak Shell Berhad and Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd, among others.
Wong told Adenan during the meeting that a total of 181 entries had been received from journalists and photographers from print and broadcasting media.
The awards are divided into eight categories; namely Journalism, News, Business and Economic, Environmental, Health, Sports, Rural Development, Photography and The Most Promising Reporter Award.
She also thanked sponsors not only for their generous support but also their on-hand valuable advice and assistance in various tasks.
“FSJA on behalf of all journalists in the state thanks the state government for their support and recognition,” she added.
Meanwhile, SEB head of Communications Peing Tajang said they were happy to recognise and reward excellence in journalism by supporting the Kenyalang Journalism Awards in partnership with FSJA and the Chief Minister’s Office.
Shell Malaysia Upstream External Relations advisor Zuklkifli Baba Noor said: “We are pleased to support this award…and look forward to a greater collaboration between all industries in Sarawak in pursuit of journalism excellence.”
On the other hand, Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd senior manager for strategic planning Chua Hsui Lin said they were committed to providing assistance and support to the resettlements as well as to continue its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes in the state.
Sarawak Shell general manager Chok Chee Twong, Shell Malaysia government relations senior manager Jonathan Jolly, SEB corporate communications manager Ahadiah Zamhari, Sarawak Hidro corporate communications head Shahir Malex and Journalists Association of Kuching Division (KDJA) chairman Jason Yong were present.