By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 10: Former press secretary to the late Sarawak Head of State (TYT) Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Peter Sibon, is among the recipients of the Pegawai Bintang Kenyalang (PBK) in conjunction with the 80th official birthday celebration of current TYT Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
Peter, 63, who is also president of Pertubuhan Wartawan Bebas Kuching (Pewarta), has spent 26 years in the media industry, beginning as a cadet reporter with the Sarawak Tribune before rising to become its chief reporter three years later.
His journalism career took him through several news organisations, including Utusan Sarawak, Eastern Times, New Straits Times, The Borneo Post and DayakDaily, giving him opportunities to travel extensively throughout Sarawak.
In 2013, he briefly served as press secretary to former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun before returning to journalism.
Peter joined the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) in 2021, where he led its media unit. He was subsequently appointed press secretary to the late Taib and later briefly served the current TYT before moving to the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) in April 2024.
He currently heads the Corporate Communications Section at UKAS.
Asked what he believed had contributed to the recognition, Peter said it could be linked to his contributions to journalism and his service as press secretary to the late Taib.
He described his service to the late Taib as a significant part of his professional journey, adding that he remained by the former TYT’s side until his passing in January 2024.
“I owe him. I was with him until his passing,” he said.
Throughout his media career, Peter has received several awards, including the Azam-Petronas Grand Prize Award in the English category in 2001 and multiple Shell-Kenyalang Awards.
Peter holds a master’s degree in humanities from the United States and diplomas in Media Studies, Graphic Design and Human Resource Development. He is also a Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp)-sanctioned media trainer and a qualified instructor with Outward Bound School in Pulau Ubin, Singapore.
He also authored the coffee table book ‘Pillar of Harmony’, about the late Taib.
Beyond his professional career, Peter serves as president of Pewarta, which was established in 2019 to support media practitioners through welfare assistance, professional development and community outreach.
He said one of the association’s biggest achievements was its ability to assist fellow journalists in need.
Pewarta has channelled about RM200,000 in assistance to media practitioners, including those facing financial difficulties. It has also organised training programmes and workshops to strengthen journalistic skills and professionalism.
Looking ahead, Peter hopes the association will remain true to its purpose, with continued support from sponsors and commitment from its members.
“I sincerely hope that our members will remain committed to Pewarta so that together we can build a strong and sustainable non-governmental organisation for our benefit and that of our stakeholders,” he said.
Other members of the media fraternity are also among this year’s State award recipients, including veteran journalist Dr Toman Mamora, who received the Johan Bintang Sarawak (JBS); Rohana Bujang of Jiwa Bakti, who received the Ahli Bintang Sarawak (ABS); and Sarawak Tribune reporter Sharifah Nong-Jasima Syed Junaidi, who received the Pegawai Bintang Sarawak (PBS).
A total of 1,350 recipients are named in this year’s Sarawak State Honours and Awards, held in conjunction with the Head of State’s 80th official birthday celebration. — DayakDaily
