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Donny and the team doing a live-stream for KDS+.

KUCHING: The Khabar Dari Sarawak Plus (KDS+) programme is a proactive platform established by the Malaysian Information Department (JaPen) Sarawak to strengthen the dissemination of information on government policies more effectively through digital communication mediums.

The new norm brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic prompted JaPen Sarawak to start a information delivery series which is more focused on digital communication means – through media social and online platforms – without leaving out the essence of face-to-face communication.

This KDS+ concept revolves around reporting through virtual live-streaming on JaPen Sarawak’s Facebook page, involving JaPen members on the ground throughout Sarawak and delivered in the local language of the area.

It features various news angles and reports on events aimed at disseminating authentic and accurate information to bring a positive impact to all Sarawakians on the current government’s efforts, especially with regard to handling the Covid-19 pandemic now.

Through the KDS+ series, important and viral issues can be interpreted well to give an accurate depiction of the situation.

Swady

“The KDS+ approach is to ensure that the dissemination of information on government policies definitely reaches the target groups and this is suited to the needs and demographic conditions of the audience,” said JaPen Sarawak director Swady Guliling.

He said since the implementation of KDS+, access to JaPen Sarawak’s social media had continued to increase day by day;  there were even KDS+ submissions which reached 150,000 views in an eight-hour period since being uploaded.

On top of broadcasting on efforts by the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to ease the burden of the rural community, KDS+ also covers articles and documentaries related to communities in all districts throughout Sarawak to introduce the customs and culture of the local community to all Malaysians in order to support national unity.

JaPen Kuching District information assistant Abang Hairman Abang Fauzi pointed out that KDS+ could be a real-time source of information to the community.

“While recording the KDS+ live-stream, I was really excited. However, early preparation is important to ensure that the programme runs smoothly – including sufficient gadgets and the provision of complete and accurate information,” he said.

JaPen Tatau District information officer Donny Minggu Ling expressed the same thoughts, adding that JaPen had successfully made strides and emerged from old methods by applying this new approach.

He said this had significantly helped to boost JaPen Sarawak in the eyes of the community.

Meanwhile, JaPen Mukah District information officer Syahrulizan Median said KDS+ had a variety of contents which attracted the interest of netizens, especially through the live-streamed broadcasts and recording of interesting materials which were previously less known about the districts in Sarawak.

“The live-streams have received a very encouraging response, with important events being broadcast and directly witnessed by netizens and the community,” he said.