KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has increased its support for the Kinabalu Press Awards with a contribution of RM110,000 this year in recognition of the media’s role in nation-building.
The amount, which marks an increase of RM10,000 from the previous year, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor presented the contribution to the Sabah Journalists Association (SJA), the organiser of the annual awards, during a Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering hosted specially for media practitioners at the Menara Kinabalu' banquet hall.
Chief Minister’s Department Media and Communications director, Datuk Lucy Irene Yong, said the celebration was held to show appreciation for the media’s continued support in reporting government programmes and fostering public awareness.
“This year’s celebration is also special, as it was held at Menara Kinabalu’s elegant Banquet Hall for the first time,” she said.
She added that the Chief Minister and state government greatly value the media’s partnership and its efforts in highlighting state development initiatives.
Among those present were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Ruslan Muharam, Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, state Information Department director Jainisah Mohd Noor, Sabah RTM director Mohd Yusni Mohamed Ali, SJA president Mariah Doksil, Kota Kinabalu Journalists Association (KKJA) president Jimmy Goh, as well as editors-in-chief and bureau chiefs from various media organisations.
