CM pledges RM100,000 for setting up SPI
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has expressed his support for Kuching Division Journalists Association (KDJA)’s plan to set up a training centre called Sarawak Press Institute (SPI).
As a show of his support, he pledged an initial grant of RM100,000 to KDJA.
He hoped that SPI would work closely with the national
I am fine with the media as long as media practitioners are fair and well versed in their understanding of government policies and programmes when reporting to the public. Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister
Malaysian Press Institute ( MPI) after it has been set up.
On another note, the Chief Minister said depending on KDJA’s requests and circumstances, he might consider sending more than two journalists for further studies.
He was referring to his promise at an earlier event to get Yayasan Sarawak to sponsor the cost for two journalists from the state to further their studies.
He was officiating at the media dinner gathering with the Chief Minister organised by the Chief Minister’s Office at a leading hotel here on Sunday night.
On his relations with the media, he said: “I am fine with the media as long as media practitioners are fair and well versed in their understanding of government policies and programmes when reporting to the public”.
“The public too wants to know what the government policies and programmes are all about and this is where the media can play a useful role,” he added.
Sometime last year, Commonwealth Journalists Association Sarawak branch mooted the idea of setting up SPI and it was put to all media-related associations in the state to work closely together to realise this idea.
Also present were Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office Datuk Talib Zulpilip and assistant ministers in the Chief Minister’s Office; namely Datuk John Sikie Tayai, Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali and Abdullah Saidol.
Around 150 members of the media attended the get-together, including KDJA president Jacqueline Radoi David who delivered a welcoming address.
Among the highlights of the night were songs presentation by Abang Johari and other VIPs, poco-poco dancing by media members and VIPs and lucky draws for members of the media.