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By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 1: Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has ‘saved’ retrenched workers with the establishment of Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas).
Ukas director Samuel Simon said the Unit was established under the Department of Premier of Sarawak on Aug 1, 2018.
“The establishment of Ukas by Premier soon after the dissolution of Department of Special Affairs (JASA) due to a change in the Federal government in 2018 was indeed very timely as Premier is a beacon of hope to most of us especially to our ex-JASA officers whose future was a scenario of uncertainty.
“In this regard, sir, your timely intervention to establish Ukas will always be cherished by us,” he said during Ukas’ 5th anniversary dinner held at Pullman Hotel here earlier tonight.
He further stressed that there is no Ukas if not for the quick action, wisdom and vision of Abang Johari who saw the urgency and the significance of the Sarawak government to have its very own communication agency at that time.
“Under the continuous leadership and direction of our Premier together with Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Ukas ) Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Operations) Datu Hii Chang Kee and many others before them, UKAS has evolved into what it is today.
“And all of us are indeed very honoured to be a part of the Sarawak Civil Service especially when Ukas was tasked to head the publicity committee during the Rabies and Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.
Ukas uses Facebook, Twitter, Tik Tok, Instagram, YouTube and WhatsApp channels and other physical platforms to keep the rakyat up to date on the Sarawak Government development plans, programmes, initiatives, policies and activities.
On a daily basis, Ukas news are broadcast five times a day in Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Iban and this year, it has started its Chinese News Edition.
Amongst those present were Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian; Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai; Abdullah Saidol; Deputy Minister of Transport (Aviation and Road) Datuk Dr Jerip Susil; Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic and Development Planning) Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel; Hii and UKAS Special Administrative Officer Datu Takun@Takon Sunggah. — DayakDaily
