Day: May 24, 2024

KUCHING: Foreign journalists participating in the 2024 National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) celebration, which will begin tomorrow, have expressed hope to learn best journalism practices and gain valuable knowledge from the three-day event.

Information officer from Brunei Mohamad Rainie Durani said he wants to learn more about the best practices of media practitioners in Malaysia to remain relevant and competitive.

‘As a representative from Brunei Darussalam, I want to learn the best practices practised by my Malaysian media colleagues in facing current challenges, especially with the rise of ‘online citizen’,’ he told Bernama today.

He noted that the presence of the ‘digital community’ that frequently shares real-time events is among the challenges faced by journalists today, with public sharing often being disseminated faster, especially on social media platforms.

‘This is a major challenge for official news agencies to remain relevant and competitive, to the extent that it sometimes creates a sense of di
scomfort among the public,’ he said.

This has contributed to the increased importance of data journalism for the accuracy of facts and information, said Mohamad Rainie.

‘Journalists play a very significant role in highlighting current issues and news that can provide value and benefits to readers.

‘Today’s society wants more accurate information related to events, as most people are now able to evaluate the information themselves,’ he added.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s national news agency (ANTARA) correspondent Virna Puspa Setyorini said topics relevant to the current situation should be discussed more inclusively in the field of journalism.

‘We cannot avoid the advances in information and communication technology and at the same time, must ensure that the code of ethics is maintained for quality and responsible journalism.

‘I hope we will be able to take home valuable lessons, solutions, ideas for adapting to various changes in the world of journalism or media from the discussion during the conference in c
onjunction with HAWANA 2024,’ she said.

HAWANA 2024, themed ‘Etika Teras Kewartawanan Mapan’, is the largest gathering of Malaysian journalists, and the highlight of the celebration will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on May 27.

It is organised by the Communications Ministry in collaboration with the Sarawak state government, with Bernama as the implementing agency.

HAWANA was first held in the federal capital in 2018, followed by subsequent celebrations in Melaka (2022) and Perak (2023).

The date of May 29 was chosen as National Journalists’ Day to commemorate the first publication of the Utusan Melayu newspaper on May 29, 1939.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

SIBU, The G1-G4 contractors who were appointed to carry out 457 works worth RM300 million across the country have no reason not to complete the projects well.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said this is because the schedule of rates for the work involved has been increased according to the costs of materials and services that have risen over the years.

He said that the increase in the price schedule was approved recently after 10 years.

“Because of that, the government expects that all the work to be completed well. It can no longer be said that the price of work is not reasonable or cannot cover the costs involved and so on because we have made an increase in the schedule of rates for related work,” he said.

He told reporters after officiating the Periodic Work Draw Lot for G1-G4 Contractors Under Sarawak State Federal Road Maintenance Contract for 2024 here today.

According to him, the rate of increase for Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan is approximately the same at 30 per cent.

Without e
laborating further, Nanta said the rate is different for the Peninsula.

In his speech earlier, he said the Ministry of Finance had approved the allocation of Development Expenditure for the Maintenance Works of Contractors G1 to G4 for federal roads throughout Malaysia amounting to RM300 Million under Budget 2024.

A total of RM200 million has been allocated to the Peninsula for 336 works while RM100 million has been allocated for Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan for 121 projects.

The draw programme at today’s ceremony involved 64 works in Sarawak, namely 41 periodic pavement works totaling RM 42.5 million and 23 non-pavement periodic works totaling RM 7.5 million.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

SHENZHEN, Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Huawei Malaysia) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) to collaborate on academic and research initiatives focused on smart city technology, urban disaster prevention, and other mutually beneficial activities and programmes aimed at technological innovation.

A joint statement issued said that under the collaboration, a Huawei Intelligent Operation Centre (IOC) would be established at UniKL British Malaysian Institute (UniKL BMI), dedicated to research and development (Rand D) opportunities, as well as to empower UniKL with the capacity to provide authorised short-course training to its students and the public, while fostering technological innovation and practical training.

It said Huawei Malaysia and UniKL would also embark on the exchange of academic and research information or material specifically on Flood Monitoring Control.

The MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ah
mad Zahid Hamidi during his visit to Huawei’s headquarters, here, in conjunction with his official visit to China from May 22 to June 1.

The MoU was signed by Huawei Malaysia chief Executive Officer (CEO) Simon Sun while UniKL was represented by its president and CEO, Assoc Prof Ir Dr Azman Senin.

Simon in a statement explained the Huawei IOC was a decision-making assistance model that made predictions using massive amounts of industry-specific data.

‘It enables the efficient deployment of manpower and resources in critical situations, such as floods, leading to greatly improved city governance.

‘The IOC that will be set up at UniKL BMI will be a powerful educational, research and development tool for both students and researchers alike as we head towards a connected, intelligent future of smart cities,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Azman said the MoU was a testament to the university’s commitment to providing its students with the best learning opportunities and resources.

“This MoU opens up new horizons for Un
iKL and we look forward to a fruitful collaboration with Huawei Malaysia that will benefit our students, researchers, and the broader community,” he said.

UniKL is a wholly owned higher learning institution by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), an agency under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development.

UniKL’s collaborative ties with Huawei Malaysia go back to 2012, when UniKL became a Huawei University Teaching Laboratory.

The primary aim of the most recent collaboration with Huawei Malaysia is to strengthen, promote, and develop capacity-building cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUCHING: The government is taking the recent allegations of a politician attacking and threatening two Tamil-language news portal journalists very seriously.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said he firmly believes journalists should be free to carry out their duties, and those who are threatened have the right to report it without hindrance.

‘I strongly disagree with and condemn any actions involving threats of journalists. I have not yet received complete information regarding the incident.

‘However, I am willing to meet with both parties involved: the journalists who were allegedly threatened and those accused of making the threats. I want to fully understand what transpired and find a resolution as quickly as possible,’ Fahmi, who also serves as the Government’s Unity spokesperson, said.

He told newsmen this after a courtesy visit to the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak, Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, at Astana Negeri today.

Yesterday, National Union of Journalists Peninsular Malaysia (NUJ) sec
retary-general Teh Athira Mohamed Yusof said NUJ expressed deep concern for the safety and well-being of the journalists involved, P. Puvaneswaran and M. Pavalam, as well as the entire Tamil journalist community.

In a statement, NUJ urged Fahmi to address the issue promptly and take immediate action to halt any form of attack on journalists.

Meanwhile, Fahmi also reminded himself and his political counterparts to uphold decorum and civility, particularly when interacting with the media.

‘Even if they (politicians) disagree with the content of a particular report, they generally have the right to reply. Therefore, they should use that opportunity and refrain from taking any actions that contravene the law,’ he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR: Government and opposition leaders have extended their condolences to the family of Sungai Bakap assemblyman Nor Zamri Latiff, who passed away at the Seberang Jaya Hospital (HSJ) this afternoon.

Among the leaders who expressed their condolences was Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, who is also the president of Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah).

“May his soul be blessed and placed among the faithful and the righteous. My condolences to the entire family of the late Nor Zamri,” he said.

Minister of Education Fadhlina Sidek also shared her grief over Nor Zamri’s passing.

“My condolences to the entire family of the deceased on his passing. May they be given strength in facing this loss,” she wrote.

Meanwhile, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang also expressed his condolences on the passing of his party member.

“I express my condolences to the family of YB Nor Zamri Latiff, Sungai Bakap assemblyman who died this morning in the intensive care unit (ICU) of HSJ, Pena
ng.

“May Allah shower His mercy on the deceased, accept his good deeds, forgive all his sins and place him among the righteous,” he said.

MCA president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong also expressed his condolences, describing Nor Zamri’s passing as a significant loss to the community in Sungai Bakap.

“His contributions and services to the community will always be remembered. May his soul be blessed,” he said.

Meanwhile, UMNO Supreme Council Member and Bertam assemblyman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican described the deceased as a respected friend and a calm and patient leader.

“My condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of the late Nor Zamri. Let us all pray to the Almighty for them. May the late Nor Zamri rest in peace in paradise and be placed among the righteous believers, always in the embrace of Allah’s forgiveness,” he said.

Nor Zamri died at 1.38 pm while receiving treatment at HSJ due to abdominal inflammation. He had been receiving treatment there since the beginning of the month.

He l
eaves behind his wife Musalmah Yusop and six children.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency