KUCHING: Ronnie Teo from Borneo Post was elected as the new chairman of the Kuching Division Journalist Association (KDJA) at its annual general meeting (AGM) in a local hotel here today (March 20).
Ronnie was elected unopposed for the term 2021-2023, replacing the outgoing chairwoman Jacqueline David.
The deputy chairman is Zulazhar Sheblee from The Star while Firdaus Arasy Idris from the Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) remained as the secretary and will be assisted by newly-elected Nur Ashikin Louis from the New Sarawak Tribune.
The position of treasurer is held by Chong Kho Lee from Sarawak Eye while Zaphne Philip from Bernama was elected as the assistant treasurer.
The executive committee members (exco) include Farah Diyana Shamsuddin and Siti Nurain Ratani from Suara Sarawak, Sharon Kong from Borneo Post, Chong Jen Na from Sin Chew Daily, Jeeridyne-Eve Chan from TVS, Rynna Sha’erra Mindew from Utusan Sarawak and Voon Chia Yung from the state Information Department (Japen).
Despite stepping down as the chairwoman, Jacqueline was appointed as the advisor of the association while Edmund Chang from See Hua Daily News was appointed as the auditor.
KDJA currently has a strong 380 members since its establishment in 1972 to look after media practitioners’ welfare and improve media professionalism in Kuching division.
According to the Jacqueline, she has held the position of the chairwoman for over two terms or five years.
“Therefore, I wish to step down and give way for the younger generation to lead.
“This is because I believe the entry of new faces would bring about new and fresh ideas in elevating the association to a higher level,” she said after the event.
Meanwhile, Teo vowed to give his best in leading the association and fight for the press’ rights in Sarawak.
“We will continue the fight in protecting the rights of the media in Sarawak.
“We will also look into the efforts to have the media be given the priority to be vaccinated in the state,” he said.
