BY GOH PEI PEI & JACINTHA JOLENE
KUCHING: TV Sarawak (TVS), the state-owned television station, has successfully showcased Sarawak’s uniqueness to global audiences, including in London.
Having said this, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg lauded TVS’ success and acknowledged the crucial role played by TVS in promoting Sarawak’s diverse local culture and tradition on the global stage over the past three years.
“During one of my working visits to London, I went to meet up with some of our anak-anak Sarawak there, and they told me that they were aware of the latest happenings back home, including development progress in Gedong, through watching TVS,” he said.
“Therefore, I would like to thank and congratulate TVS for their hard work and achievements,” he added.
Apart from being a platform for local content creators, producers and performers to showcase their creative ideas and talents, he said, TVS also provided its audiences, particularly those living in other states and countries, a preview of what Sarawak has to offer.
Premier Abang Johari cited the example of the Iban song ‘Bekikis Bulu Betis,’ stating that even the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah knew how to sing it during his visit to Sarawak.
Speaking at the TVSPrihatin, in conjunction with its third anniversary at Dewan Datuk Patinggi Ali here today (Nov 11), he said Sarawak was the first state in the country to have its own television station, which could be accessed via Channel 122, on Astro TV and MyTV, as well as other social media platforms.
“When we first set up TVS, we wanted to serve as an effective medium to broadcast various news events and other information about Sarawak as well as to nurture more local talents.
“Today, we are proud to say that our own TV station has produced various high-value contents such as short films, drama and more, while our news anchors, TV hosts are as good as other national TV stations,” he said.
Abang Johari also assured plans for TVS to continue collaborating with the private sector and the local community to enhance content and create more opportunities for locals.
He also suggested having special programmes or TV shows to promote the local entrepreneurs, products and businesses as well as the agriculture industry in Sarawak.
Earlier, Abang Johari joined a tree-planting ceremony at Masjid Al-Khawtar’s compound and a symbolic handover of MYTV decoder to three representatives from Gedong for 300 recipients, allowing them the opportunity to view the world through TVS for free.
Also present were the Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs and State Public Communication Unit) Datuk Abdullah Saidol; Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier’s Department Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat; Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Aidel Lariwoo; Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Martin Ben; Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED) Advisor Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, Sarawak Media Group (SMG) executive deputy chairman and chief executive officer Kushairi Abang; Development Bank of Sarawak Berhad (DBOS) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani; New Sarawak Tribune and Suara Sarawak chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir, who is also the a board member of the Sarawak Media Group (SMG).
