By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, July 2: Veteran media practitioner Basri Mohamad, the former TV3 Sarawak coordinator, was honoured with the ‘Tokoh Khas’ award during the ‘Anugerah Apresiasi Khas Premier Sarawak 2025’ in recognition of his longstanding service and contributions to the local and national media industry.
The award was presented by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof during a dinner held in conjunction with National Journalists Day (Hawana) 2025 and the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2025 at a local hotel here tonight.
In addition to the Tokoh Khas recognition, outstanding individuals in various categories were also honoured.
In the Editor Category, the award recipients were Hamdan Ismail, Chief Bureau of Bernama Sarawak; Aden Nagrace, Chief Editor of Sarawak Tribune; and Cheng Lian Hiok, Director of DayakDaily.
In the Journalist Category, the recipients were Caroline Anne Ranyed Jackson, Sub-editor at Sarawak Tribune; Dayang Fatimah Awang Lai, a retiree from RTM; and Petrus Abai, also a retiree from RTM.
For the Newsreader Category, the award went to Khalid Suut, News Editor at RTM Sarawak.
In the Radio Presenter (DJ) Category, the recipients were Teo Oh Meng, a retiree from RTM Red FM, and Sharbarudin Abu Bakar, a radio announcer with Cats FM.
In the Photographer Category, the honourees were Mohammad Rais Sanusi, a photographer with Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), and Basri Mohamad, who was also recognised with the Tokoh Khas award.
Each recipient was awarded RM3,000 in cash and a commemorative plaque as a token of appreciation for their commitment, service, and impact in shaping Sarawak’s media industry.
The awards night reflected the Sarawak government’s continued appreciation for the role of media professionals—both active and retired—in informing the public, supporting development, and contributing to the State’s progress through responsible journalism and broadcasting.
Also present were Sarawak Minister for Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin; Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information, and Ukas) Datuk Abdullah Saidol; Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan; Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya; Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Operations) Datu Hii Chang Kee; Ukas director Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan; and other invited guests. — DayakDaily
