Dr Sim (fifth left) declares open the function, while Tiong (left), Siaw (third left), Hii (fourth left), Ling (second right) and others look on.
SIBU: Journalists play an important role in reaching out to the people and inform them about the government’s development plans and policies, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He thanked all journalists in Sarawak for a job well done in ensuring Sarawak’s development was always on the right track.
He added the government recognised and appreciated the work of journalists as an important part of Sarawak’s development.
“Without them, we would not be able to reach out to the people.”
Abang Johari’s text-of-speech was read by Minister of Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, who represented him at the 31st Kenyalang Journalism Awards 2019 here on Friday.
The chief minister however noted that with the advent of the Internet, the life of newspapers was under threat.
News portals have sprung up all over the Internet, and suddenly everybody can become a reporter in Facebook, twitter, Instagram among others, he added
“Legitimate news or fake news in the Internet is something we have to manage on a daily basis.
“We really need highly discerning reading public to differentiate between fake and real news,” he said.
Earlier, president of Federation of Sarawak Journalists Associations (FSJA), Hii Hong Wee, urged fellow journalists to keep up with the sacred duty of providing only true information.
“Let us be a part of our community and let the trust of the people keep us going.”
Meanwhile, The Borneo Post swept nearly all the categories in Kenyalang Journalism Awards 2019, with 19 top places while its sister paper Utusan Borneo grabbed 12 first prizes.
The organisers received 317 entries in English, BM, Mandarin, Iban and Broadcasting media for the KJA 2019.
Sibu MP Oscar Ling, assemblyman Datuk Tiong Thai King, Sarawak Shell Bhd general manager Jill Chieng, head of Petronas Sarawak Zulaihi Mantali, SEB senior vice president for Corporate Services Siti Aisah Adenan, Sarawak Public Communication Unit acting director Dato Norhyati Mohd Ismail, its news and current affairs head Syeliza Basri and Sibu Resident Charles Siaw were among those present at the function.