By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 2: It has been proposed that Sarawak Media Conference (SMEC) 2024, scheduled to take place for the first time this year, become an annual event.
According to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) news report, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information, and Sarawak Public Communications Unit) Datuk Abdullah Saidol said that SMEC 2024 will take place during the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) celebration from May 25 to 27.
He said that the conference is also an initiative to ensure that media practitioners move in tandem with the Sarawak government.
“The timing of this conference is crucial as the media faces a revolution from traditional to modern, including Sarawak’s move towards a digital economy.
“It’s the right time to engage the media as an important platform for the government and the people to come together in understanding the Sarawak government’s direction.
“So, I hope the Sarawak Media Conference will become an annual state event involving the media in Sarawak,” he was quoted as saying.
The minister made the remarks when met by reporters during a courtesy visit on Sarawak’s Head of State (TYT) Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar at Astana Negeri Sarawak here today.
Abdullah said that one of HAWANA 2024’s highlights is an exhibition depicting journalists’ journeys and struggles since the 1950s and 1960s.
“We informed Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi that the exhibition concept revolves around the journey and struggles of journalists since the 1950s and 1960s as they played a significant role in the independence and formation of Sarawak and the nation,” he added.
Ukas also reported that several awards will be presented, including the ‘Tokoh Wartawan’ award, and significant events will include the opening ceremony and dinner reception, which will also be attended by Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Also present were Ukas director Samuel Simon, Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak chief executive officer Ali Suhaili, Kuching Division Journalists Association (KDJA) president Ronnie Teo, and Ukas deputy director Joachim Paggang Jabong. — DayakDaily
