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Borneo Post
20 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Media firms should cover journalists' AI tool costs, says S'wak deputy minister
Abdullah delivers his closing remarks at the event. – Photo by Kong Jun Liung KUCHING (July 3): Media companies may need to take responsibility for the cost of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and digital applications used by journalists in their daily work, said Datuk Abdullah Saidol. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2025 here today, the Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department acknowledged the growing financial burden media professionals face in keeping up with evolving digital requirements. 'Some reporters and journalists told me, 'I have to download this app – it costs me RM90 a month. Then I need another that costs RM300 per annum. I have to subscribe to this and that, and the company isn't covering it',' he said. 'Yes, these tools do help in their work, but employers must also understand that these extra expenses are necessary to enable digital assistance, whether AI or any otherwise.' He stressed that as technology advances rapidly, media companies must take into account these 'hidden costs' when discussing digital transformation. 'This is another consideration we must look at. Probably in future seminars, we can get researchers who have explored the actual costs involved, for both individuals and the government, in embracing digital advancements,' he said. Abdullah, who was SMeC 2025 organising chairman, noted that while AI is now part of everyday discourse, it must be approached with balance. 'We don't want to be left out, but neither should we be too quick in adopting new technologies. I used the term 'wholesale adoption' earlier, as one of the speakers mentioned, sometimes we shouldn't rush in adopting the latest advancements, especially when the fundamentals haven't been fully addressed.' He emphasised that the narrative of digital policy varies by country and government appetite. 'For example, the US is driven by commercial interests, the EU by standards, and China by security. In Sarawak, we must shape our own approach, one that aligns with our specific needs.' Abdullah also underscored the need for inclusive infrastructure, noting that many rural areas in Sarawak still lack basic connectivity. 'You don't have to talk about AI to me, my area doesn't even have internet. The tower is there, but it's not functioning,' he said, citing complaints from rural constituents. He acknowledged that while the Sarawak government has invested billions in digital infrastructure, more efforts are needed to close the digital divide. He also advocated for early education in AI, including governance and ethics, to prepare the next generation for a digital future. 'A teacher told me yesterday to pass the message to the Premier, that maybe we should start teaching children as early as primary school about the good and bad that AI can bring,' he shared. Abdullah also reminded that while AI may evolve to simulate intelligence and emotion, it cannot replicate the human qualities that matter most, such as empathy, feeling, and cultural understanding. 'In Malaysia, and especially in Sarawak, with our diversity in race, religion, and language, this is something AI will never understand,' he said. The SMeC 2025, which brought together journalists, academics, policymakers, and tech experts, focused on the intersection of innovation, governance, and the media industry's digital future. Abdullah Saidol AI tools cost journalists media company
Borneo Post
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Asfia: Redelineation ‘not precluded' for July 7's Special DUN sitting
Mohd Asfia (seated right) addresses the press conference. – Photo by Kong Jun Liung KUCHING (June 25): The redelineation of state and parliamentary constituencies in Sarawak could be among matters tabled at the upcoming special State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on July 7. 'I will not preclude that possibility,' DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar told a press conference today. 'It's a one-day (sitting) from 9am to 6.30pm. If necessary, then it's extended under Standing Order 9 to extend it beyond 6.30pm.' Mohd Asfia said this after officiating at the Majlis Ucaptama Speaker Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak held in conjunction with Parlimen Mahasiswa UiTM Cawangan Sarawak at the DUN Complex here today. He explained that the special sitting was called under Standing Order 8(3) at the request of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. 'This notice, calling the honourable members for a meeting, is made under Standing Order 8(3). With Standing Order 8(3), the Yang Amat Berhormat Premier presented to me that he is desirous of calling a meeting on 7th of July, 2025. 'Pursuant to that, and in tandem with that presentation, I issued a notice calling for a meeting of all the honourable members, 82 of them, for a meeting in the DUN on 7th of July, 2025,' he said. When asked to confirm the agenda, the Speaker said no Bill had been received so far. 'If I say, it is a matter of conjecture. But if I speak facts, I have not received any Bill yet. 'Once I receive the Bill, as usual, our practices can be pre-counselled. I shall call for a press conference and brief all of you what this is all about,' he said. When asked whether the number of state seats might change, he replied: 'I don't know whether the seats' composition will be increased or decreased. I have not received any Bill yet. So, I can't really give comments, much as I would like to.' He also clarified that any changes to the number of seats fall under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission (EC) and not the state assembly. 'The DUN doesn't come in. It's SPR (EC). It's a federal power. It's not the DUN who creates it,' he explained, while adding, 'The number of seats will not be decreased.' The Borneo Post had previously reported a letter signed by Mohd Asfia confirming the special one-day sitting had been circulated to all 82 assembly members. However, the agenda for the sitting was not specified. lead mohd asfia awang nassar redelineation Special DUN sitting
Borneo Post
24-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
92 STPM candidates from S'wak record 4.0 CGPA
Omar (front, centre) joins STPM top achievers in celebration during the results announcement ceremony. — Photo by Kong Jun Liung KUCHING (June 24): Sarawak recorded a slight improvement in the 2024 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) exam, with 92 candidates achieving a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.0, said state Education Department director Omar Mahli. He said this was an increase of 0.06 per cent compared to the 88 candidates in the 2023 STPM examination. 'In terms of overall CGPA, the number of candidates that scored between 3.75 to 3.99 is 312, while 1,570 candidates scored between 3.00 to 3.74,' he said after the announcement of the 2024 STPM results at Dewan Jamilah, Yayasan Sarawak here today. He added Sarawak achieved an overall CGPA of 2.68 in the 2024 STPM. Omar said a total of 5,877 candidates registered for the 2024 STPM exam, up from the 5,838 that registered in 2023, while 5,717 candidates sat for all three semesters. He noted Sarawak saw improvements in various subjects, including Accounting, Mathematics, Economics, Information and Communications Technology, Usuluddin, Tahfiz Al-Quran, Chemistry, Syariah, Business studies, and Literature in English. 'A total of 5,612 candidates, or 98.16 per cent, passed all four or five subjects. 'To be eligible for the STPM certificate, a candidate must obtain at least a partial pass in one subject. 'For the STPM 2024 examination, I am pleased to inform that out of the 5,717 candidates who sat for the exam, all are eligible to be awarded the STPM 2024 certificate,' Omar announced. Among the notable achievers is Kong Wei Hang from SMK Sungai Merah, Sibu, who was recognised for his outstanding performance and will be receiving an award from the Federal Ministry of Education in Kuala Lumpur today (June 25). Meanwhile, the 12 schools in Sarawak which achieved excellent STPM results with a CGPA of over 3.00 were SMK Saribas in Betong; SMK Sacred Heart, SMK Chung Hua, SMK Bandar Sibu, SMK Rosli Dhoby, SMK Methodist and SMK Tung Hua in Sibu; SMK Merbau, SMK Chung Hua and Kolej Tun Datuk Tuanku Haji Bujang in Miri; as well as SMK Green Road and SMK Bako in Kuching. SMK Sacred Heart was also named the best national-level Form Six Centre for both Mod 2 and Mod 3 categories.
