Broadcast media key to tackling pressing criminal issues, says S'wak deputy minister
Gideon (right) presents a memento to Abdullah, joined by Ali (left). – Photo by Kentigern Minggu
KUCHING (May 10): Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs and Sarawak Public Communications Unit), Datuk Abdullah Saidol, has called on television and radio broadcasters to play a more proactive role in raising public awareness about pressing criminal issues particularly scams, vandalism, and online gambling.
He said that while the media already plays a significant role in disseminating information, there is a need to further amplify messages concerning community safety and criminal activities that often go unnoticed but carry serious consequences.
'There are three serious matters that I hope our broadcasters will help champion, scams, vandalism, and online gambling,' he said during the official launching of the Ari-Ari Gawai music video by KUPIKUPI FM Sarawak here today.
'These are issues that ruin lives, cause financial loss, and act like a cancer in our society, yet not many people talk about them in depth,' he added.
Abdullah urged broadcasters to creatively raise awareness about these issues and called on media outlets to collaborate with enforcement agencies to better inform the public and support efforts to combat such crimes.
When asked about the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC), he said it is tentatively scheduled for early July this year in conjunction with National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2025 in Kuching, although the venue has yet to be finalised.
On the launch of the music video, KUPIKUPI FM Sarawak's first original production in conjunction with the upcoming Gawai Dayak celebration, Abdullah said it celebrates Sarawak's rich cultural diversity and reinforces unity and resilience among its people, regardless of the challenges they face.
The music video features KUPIKUPI FM announcer Wena as the lead singer, alongside Sarawakian artists Melissa Francis and Hairee Francis.
KUPIKUPI FM station manager Gideon Jute expressed hope that the song would be well received by the Dayak community and the wider Malaysian audience.
He also announced that once the music video is released on their platforms including the KupiTV YouTube channel, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Spotify, a TikTok trending challenge will be launched based on the video's content.
'A mystery prize awaits once we reveal the challenge concept,' he added.
Gideon said that the station may consider producing another Gawai-themed song in the future featuring other Sarawak ethnic languages, but for now, they would take things one step at a time.
Also present at the event were Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak chief executive officer Ali Suhaili and other distinguished guests. Abdullah Saidol broadcast media criminal issues KUPIKUPI FM
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