KUCHING: Five journalists from Sarawak will be presented with the Special Appreciation Award from the Premier in conjunction with the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2024 here.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Office (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol said the award aims to recognize and appreciate the contributions of journalists in the state.
“The award will be presented to an individual or organisation of which will be decided shortly by the secretariat,” he said.
He said this to the media after chairing the Sarawak Media Conference (SMEC) 2024 and HAWANA 2024 Steering Committee meeting at a hotel here yesterday (May 4).
Abdullah added final preparations are underway to ensure that both events are among the best organised in the state.
“HAWANA 2024 in Sarawak will feature uniqueness as compared to previous events because SMEC 2024 will involve renowned international and local speakers,” he said.
He added that Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi will also be the guests of honour during the conference’s dinner reception on May 26.
“Themed Media Evolution in the Digital Era, SMEC 2024 is expected to attract around 600 participants to the two-day conference starting on May 26.
“Meanwhile, the conference is also expected to be officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg,” he said.
He said as for HAWANA 2024, themed ‘Ethics at the Core of Sustainable Journalism’, there will also be media practitioners from across the country, local journalist associations and media representatives from ASEAN member countries attending.
“The highlight for this is that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be officiating at the event,” he said.
HAWANA 2024 will be held here from May 25 to 27.
