(Seated, from third left) Soon Eng, Teh and Yuee Harng with committee members at the co-operative’s 48th anniversary dinner.
GUESTS at Penang Press Employees’ Co-operative Society Ltd’s 48th anniversary dinner took a look back on the proud history of media in the state.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s political secretary Teh Lai Heng said that the first newspaper in Malaysia was printed in Penang in 1806.
“Traditional media has been delivering news to the people here for more than 200 years.
“Many major newspapers were ‘born’ here.
“You can get news via social media platforms nowadays but the stories can be fake.
“Traditional media still plays a role in reporting news that have been thoroughly checked,” he said at the dinner.
Teh thanked local reporters for helping to report Penang government’s policies to the people.
He lauded the co-operative for providing employees with low-interest loans to tide them through tough times.
Also attending the dinner were co-operative chairman Wong Soon Eng and committee members, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) councillor Wong Yuee Harng and Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee’s assistant Khor Soo Beng.
Soon Eng in his speech said the co-operative was losing members since newspapers were reducing their staff and many had also retired.
“Our co-operative is not very big and our main source of income comes from membership fees and profits from loans.
“We are looking for a venue to conduct our activities but due to a lack of funding, we are asking for help from the state or companies,” he said.
Yuee Harng suggested that the co-operative committee meet MBPP officials to rent a low-cost unit which can be used as an activity centre.
