BY NEVILLE TIMOTHY SANDERS
KUCHING: Sarawak is planning to host a large scale Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) next year following the success of the inaugural event this year.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS)), Datuk Abdullah Saidol, believes Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will respond positively to the proposal.
“The plan for the event will not just be about the conference and presentations, but also looking at ideas to involve everyone in the media sector, particularly in exhibitions.
“We intend to involve suppliers of electronic goods such as gadgets, drones, possibly newspaper and magazine vendors, and many more,” he said.
Abdullah said this at the closing of SMeC 2024, which took place over two days at the Riverside Majestic Hotel here on today (May 27).
In the meantime, Abdullah added that the best location deemed suitable for the event is the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
“Several parties from Singapore and Indonesia have also expressed interest in participating if we can organise the event next year.
“Therefore, I hope the Premier will provide support, particularly in terms of budget for our proposal,” he explained.
The inaugural SMeC 2024 was held from May 26 to 27 as part of the National Journalists Day (Hawana) celebration held in Sarawak this year.
The conference, themed ‘Media Evolution in the Digital Era,’ was also organised by UKAS and the Kuching Division Journalists Association (KDJA) in collaboration with Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak and Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak).
Also present were Deputy State Secretary (Operations), Datuk Hii Chang Kee, UKAS Director Samuel Simon, AZAM Chief Executive Officer, Ali Suhaili and KDJA President, Ronnie Teo.
