By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 23: The Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) will organise workshops and engagement sessions with media practitioners across the State to facilitate the dissemination of accurate and comprehensive information in preparation for coverage of the upcoming Sarawak election.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Ukas) Datuk Abdullah Saidol said the programme would involve all media organisations, including Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), the Information Department and other media agencies.
He said the workshops would equip journalists with basic information needed to produce election and pre-election reports, particularly given the geographical challenges of covering Sarawak.
“We understand that Sarawak is vast and we understand the challenges faced by some journalists in reaching locations and obtaining information on candidates, the size of State constituencies, the locations of polling district centres, the number of voters, population demographics and ethnicity, among other matters,” he said.
He highlighted these during a press conference after paying a courtesy visit to Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Satria Pertiwi Complex here today.
Abdullah said the workshops would be conducted by zones, beginning with the Southern Zone, followed by the Central and Northern zones, to ensure media practitioners have access to the necessary information ahead of the election.
He said preparations were being made in advance although the date of the Sarawak election had yet to be announced.
“For now, our focus is on the final sitting of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly for this term,” he said, adding that attention was also being placed on the upcoming tabling of the Sarawak Budget 2027 by Premier, which is among the key announcements currently being awaited.
Abdullah also highlighted that Ukas and RTM would continue to strengthen their cooperation in bridging information gaps between the public and both the Sarawak and federal governments.
He said the collaboration was increasingly important as digital technology continued to transform work processes and the way information was produced and disseminated.
“The Sarawak government, through Ukas and RTM, will collaborate on many fronts. Given the digital presence in so many of our work processes, we must enhance these efforts,” he said.
Abdullah added that Ukas also planned to pay a courtesy visit to Angkasapuri and explore documents and collections housed in the RTM archives that could be shared with younger generations.
Meanwhile, RTM director-general Datuk Ashwad Ismail said Ukas and RTM had consistently collaborated on various events, programmes and initiatives, adding that the partnership would continue to be strengthened.
He said technological advancement remained a key focus for RTM, particularly in preparing younger generations to develop the imagination, skills and determination needed to master technology.
“At the same time, beyond building rapport and strategic ties based on our existing relationship, we aim to further shape and strengthen the bonds between our long-standing strategic partners, including TVS, to successfully drive national and State agendas,” he said. — DayakDaily
