INFO DEPARTMENT TO INTRODUCE THIRD JOURNALISM AWARD

Acting President of the Sabah Journalists Association Francis Fahir (right) receiving the Appreciation Award from Almain. On looking are Abdul Jalani (left) and Abdul Manap Lakariba (second right).

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Information Department is to introduce another Jounalism Award for local print and electronic media.

Its director Hj Almain Hj Ajirul said the new award would be given to journalists who write about the government policies and developments in Sabah.

“ At present  the Sabah Journalists association(SJA) and the Kota Kinabalu Journalists Associations are giving out Journalists Awards annually. We want to introduce the third award,” Almain said during the Media Night dinner function organized by the Media Section of the department at a leading hotel here on Wednesday.

He said  the categories, however, had to be identified and specified and urged local journalists to give inputs on its divisions.

“For example, there could be three divisions for the award - one for the age group 21 to 35, the second  from 36 to 48 and the last the veteran group and sub categories under each.

“ There could be better suggestion than this, as such we want more feedback and inputs from writers and editors,” he told the media participants during the said dinner which was aimed at fostering closer and cordial relations with local media players.

Earlier in his speech, Almain praised and thanked the media for working together in giving greater publicity for government projects and policies.

He hoped to continue the cordial relations with the media for a long period of time.

Almain also presented Appreciation awards to the Sabah Journalists Association(SJA), the Kota Kinabalu Journalists Association(KKJA) and Sabah Media Association (SMA).

About 100 journalists and editors from print and electronic media attended the function.

There was also lucky draw and many lucky participants won attractive prizes such as Samsung Note III and Sony Digital TV 32”.

Also present were the Acting president of the Sabah Journalist Association Francis Fahir, the Director of Broadcasting Department (RTM) Sabah, Ahmad Jalani Mahmud, BERNAMA Sabah Chief Nashir Mansor, president of Kota Kinabalu Journalists Association Jimmy Goh, Utusan Borneo Chief Editor Lichong Ah kui, director of JASA Haji Abdul Manap Lakariba and Principal assistant Director of Media Section of Sabah Information Department Wolis Juinik.-/PENERANGAN

RS/VM