KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has increased its support for the Kinabalu Press Awards with a contribution of RM110,000 this year, recognising the media’s role in nation-building.
The amount, an increase of RM10,000 from the previous year, was presented by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to the Sabah Journalists Association (SJA), the organiser of the annual awards ceremony.
It was presented during a Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering hosted specially for media practitioners at Menara Kinabalu on Saturday night.
Chief Minister’s Department media and communications director Datuk Lucy Irene Yong said the event was held to show appreciation for the media’s continued support in reporting the state government’s programmes and raising public awareness.
“This year’s celebration is also special, as it is being held at the elegant Banquet Hall of Menara Kinabalu for the first time,” she said.
She added that the chief minister and state government greatly value the media’s partnership and its role in highlighting state development initiatives.
Among those present were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Ruslan Muharam; Sabah 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 president Jimmy Goh; as well as editors-in-chief and bureau chiefs from various media organisations.
