Day: May 25, 2024

KUCHING, The organisation of the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2024 in Sarawak is an ideal platform to prepare local media practitioners and foster stronger relationships with their Southeast Asian counterparts as Malaysia gears up to assume ASEAN chairmanship next year.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said this year’s HAWANA serves as a key platform for ASEAN journalists to discuss relevant issues, thus preparing the country to play an effective role as ASEAN chairman in 2025.

‘If we want to talk about ASEAN, there needs to be media that talks about ASEAN. Therefore, we need a better mutual understanding and interaction among media practitioners because this will help us create a better future for ASEAN.

‘Next year is going to be a big year not only for HAWANA but also for Malaysia. Therefore, I hope that our experience in Sarawak will provide a lot of very good learning so that we can be a good host for ASEAN and organise a grander HAWANA programme,’ he said in a special interview in conjunctio
n with HAWANA 2024 here last night.

Themed ‘Etika Teras Kewartawanan Mapan’, the three-day HAWANA 2024 celebration kicked off today.

Taking inspiration from the establishment of the Ikatan Setiakawan Malaysia-Indonesia (ISWAMI), which serves as a forum for both countries to exchange journalistic values, Fahmi said cooperation between media organisations within ASEAN countries needs to be enhanced, including through the organisation of HAWANA.

‘Cooperation with journalists’ associations in every state is also needed, not just in Kuala Lumpur. For example, media friends in Sabah and Sarawak certainly have closer ties with journalists’ associations in Brunei and Kalimantan, Indonesia.

‘That is why for this year’s HAWANA, I asked to invite journalists and media from various ASEAN countries and it is learnt that six ASEAN countries are involved, which is a good start,’ he said.

Besides Malaysia, the five other ASEAN countries involved in HAWANA 2024 are Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam
.

Representatives from Timor Leste, Qatar, Kuwait, Japan, China, and South Korea are also participating.

Various programmes will be held, such as the HAWANA 2024 Excursion with Students programme, which will be officiated by Fahmi at Pustaka Negeri here this morning.

The HAWANA 2024 Exhibition at the Main Atrium of the Plaza Merdeka Shopping Centre from today until Monday features 20 booths representing various agencies, offering the public opportunities to gather information and participate in various activities.

There is also the Sarawak Media Conference 2024, themed ‘Evolution of Media in the Digital Era’, which will be held for two days starting tomorrow and inaugurated by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

HAWANA 2024 participants will also get to experience the unique culture and latest developments of Sarawak through the ‘Juh Raon’ programme, which includes visits to iconic locations around the city, including the Borneo Cultural Museum, Darul Hana Bridge and Dataran Ibu Pertiwi.

The
y will also be feted at a dinner reception hosted by Sarawak Governor Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

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

KUALA LUMPUR, Police will summon online news portal columnist Andrew Sia to assist in investigations regarding an article titled “Our Apartheid Academy, UiTM” published on May 22.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said depending on their investigation, police may also call the news portal’s editor to record a statement.

‘A total of 38 police reports have been received so far,’ he said when contacted today.

It is understood that the police will request profiling from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to obtain details on Sia to assist in the investigation.

The first police report was made by the information chief of a political party at the Dang Wangi police station recently.

Umno youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh had also demanded the portal take down the article and urged Sia to issue an apology.

Police are investigating the case under Section 504 of the Penal Code, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act as well as Section 14 of the Minor Of
fences Act 1955.

According to media reports, police have opened an investigation paper against Sia who, in his article, allegedly claimed that UiTM practises an ‘Apartheid’ system.

Yesterday, the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Rectors of Public Universities, consisting of 20 vice- chancellors and rectors of Malaysian public universities, supported Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) stance to adhere to the UiTM Act 1976 (Act 173) and Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MELAKA, The National Youth Day (HBN) 2024 celebration at Dataran Pahlawan here was filled with various exciting activities to engage participants of all ages.

With a goal to attract around 30,000 visitors, the three-day celebration, which kicked off yesterday, showcases 72 activities across 10 lifestyle segments under the Rakan Muda brand.

The 10 segments are Rakan Aktif, Rakan Litar, Rakan Digital, Rakan Ekspresi, Rakan Demokrasi, Rakan Prihatin, Rakan Mahir, Rakan Niaga, Rakan Bumi and Rakan Muzik, each offering a unique platform for youth engagement.

The Rakan Aktif segment, for instance, features physical activities aimed at fostering an active society.

The celebration was graced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, with Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching also present.

The festivity is further enlivened with the RIUH x HBN 2024 event, where 12 vendors offer artistic creations and culinary deligh
ts.

On Saturday and Sunday nights, visitors can enjoy free concerts featuring popular bands such as Hujan, Insomniacks, Dolla, Bunga, iamNEETA and several indie artists.

Also being held is the MYFutureJobs Career Carnival, which offers 3,526 job vacancies across various sectors.

Participating employers include Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd, Xinyi Solar (M) Sdn Bhd, Oriental Food Industries Sdn Bhd, Ansel N.P. Sdn Bhd and CTRM Aero Composites Sdn Bhd.

Meanwhile, the Royal Malaysia Police is offering a discount of up to 50 per cent on traffic summonses through counters open at the venue from 8 am to 5 pm.

The discount applies to all types of summonses issued nationwide, except for offences involving accidents, non-compoundable summonses, Op Selamat summonses, court hearings, dangerous or queue-cutting offences, using the emergency lane, running red lights, overtaking on double lines and modified exhausts.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

JOHOR BAHRU, Harmony must be preserved, nurtured and instilled in oneself and passed on to the next generation, said Minister of National Unity Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.

According to him, unity must be a way of life and practice for everyone and is the main foundation capable of strengthening all Malaysians to become citizens with a high spirit of identity.

“We must all remember, each of us is responsible and plays a role in preserving harmony, sovereignty, peace and security in our country.

‘I hope that everyone can embrace the principles of understanding and acceptance in fostering harmony and diversity within Malaysian society,’ he said in his speech at the national-level Unity Week (SMP) 2024 at Dataran Angsana Johor Bahru Mall here tonight.

The event was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Also present was Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

Aaron said the Ministry of National Unity (KPN) will continue all efforts and initiatives to strengthen national unity by focusing this
year on mobilising the Rukun Tetangga (RT) Initiative as a driver of progressive communities.

He said there are currently more than 300 RTs implementing economic activities that include agricultural projects (community gardens), food, beverage and health product production, handicrafts, catering services and Community Based Tourism (CBT).

‘In Phase 1, 116 RTs across the country have been identified to be models for Progressive RTs. These Progressive RTs are expected to excel in community service and societal work through eight focus areas, which include the economy and livelihoods; community security and resilience; leadership; community well-being; lifelong learning; environment; heritage and culture and creativity.

‘In this regard, I request the Prime Minister’s goodwill to consider special allocations through the Madani Community Fund for the empowerment and economic projects of Rukun Tetangga,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Onn Hafiz said the aspect of unity is always emphasised among the people in the state, k
nown as ‘Bangsa Johor’.

‘The concept of Bangsa Johor has been etched since 1920 by the late Sultan Sir Ibrahim, where he wanted Johor to have a united multiracial society….this is to develop this beloved state, and the spirit of unity has emerged and is present in the state of Johor to this day,’ he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency