Latest news with #SarawakMediaConference
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak proposes setting up clubhouse for media practitioners
Abdullah (seated centre) is seen in a group photo at the appreciation ceremony. – Ukas photo KUCHING (Aug 15): A media clubhouse could be established in Sarawak to serve as a dedicated meeting and interaction space for media practitioners. Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Ukas) Datuk Abdullah Saidol said the facility would provide a venue for members of the media to gather and take a break from the demands of daily work. 'At this media clubhouse, it is a place for media practitioners to gather, relax, share ideas, and exchange notes, where there is a leisure area, a small café, a pool table, darts, and other facilities for socialising. 'There is also a bathroom for use after work, especially for those who need to go to another location during the day. This place also provides an opportunity to meet friends, exchange views, and strengthen relationships among media practitioners, and I think this is a good idea,' he said during the Organising Committee Appreciation Ceremony in conjunction with National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2025 and the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2025 here last night. He said there are also plans to develop a recreational area near the media clubhouse. 'Maybe we can find sources other than government funds, for example, receiving sponsorship from several GLCs (government-linked companies) to maintain this facility. We can also consider providing additional space such as a pickleball court or a small field for light sports activities. 'In addition, maybe a mini gym can be provided with facilities such as a treadmill for exercise. This is one of the new ideas that I strongly support,' he added. Abdullah Saidol lead media clubhouse
Barnama
6 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Sarawak Mulls Kuching Media Club House Proposal
KUCHING, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) will consider the proposal to establish a media clubhouse here as a meeting, idea-sharing and relaxation space for journalists and media practitioners in the state. Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol said the idea came from a conversation he had with several media representatives about the need for a dedicated space for them to rest and interact outside of their official duties. Speaking at the Sarawak National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) Main Committee Appreciation Ceremony and Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2025 here last night, he said the proposal could be realised with the cooperation of the Sarawak government, government-linked companies and the private sector. "I strongly support this idea. Journalists work almost 24 hours a day and rarely have regular days off. Sometimes they don't have time to go home after their assignments, so this media clubhouse can be a place for them to gather, exchange ideas and relax," he said. According to him, the clubhouse can be equipped with facilities such as a small cafe, bathrooms, meeting rooms, light sports areas and recreational areas that provide comfort to media people to fill their relatively short break time while maintaining close relationships with each other. Abdullah said UKAS and the Federation of Sarawak Journalists Association are also holding further discussions to realise the proposal to send media people in the state to undergo professional training to further improve their skills. He said that discussions also included the implementation of a special welfare scheme for media people including insurance coverage, housing loan facilities, medical assistance and other appropriate assistance to ease the financial burden of journalists and their families. 'These are the things that are ongoing now and hopefully by the end of this year we'll probably confirm something and and some good news to our media people,' he said. In the meantime, he also announced a voluntary project involving UKAS officers and journalists to clean up the Dataran Pahlawan area here on August 24 in conjunction with the National Month celebration and to appreciate the sacrifices of the country's fighters.
Borneo Post
03-07-2025
- 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
03-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
SMeC 2025: AI can assist, but storytelling must stay human, says Broadcasting Malaysia D-G
Suhaimi speaks to reporters during the SMeC 2025. – Photo by Jude Toyat KUCHING (July 3): Artificial intelligence (AI) may assist in journalism, but the role of crafting compelling and meaningful stories must remain with human journalists, said Broadcasting Malaysia Director-General, Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman. He said that while AI can support media practitioners by generating ideas and background data, it cannot replace the human touch required in storytelling. 'The most important thing, from a reporter's point of view, is that AI helps us to develop a story — it gives ideas. But ultimately, we are the real storytellers,' he told reporters when met during the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2025 here today. He urged journalists to adopt a mindset of continuous learning to remain adaptable in the evolving media environment. 'We must always seek to increase our knowledge. Every journalist needs to have an attitude that embraces lifelong learning, because there are many branches of knowledge involved when we talk about AI,' he said. Suhaimi highlighted that understanding how AI works is crucial, but so is recognising its limitations, particularly when it comes to regional and local content. 'For example, here in Sarawak, there are many things about our state that may not exist in the current data sets. The challenge is for us to teach AI about the local data that can be shared — not everything, but enough to make search results more meaningful,' he explained. On the question of cost involved in transitioning to AI, Suhaimi encouraged the media industry to view it as a long-term investment. 'Don't look at it from the perspective of cost. See it as an investment. When you invest in something, surely there will be returns, just like when we invest in education,' he said. He warned that ignoring AI would leave media professionals behind. 'This is knowledge that we cannot avoid. If we don't embrace it or use it, we will lose out. But we also need to be wise — we must be smart in how we use this knowledge in the best possible way,' he added. Addressing concerns over AI replacing media roles such as news anchors, Suhaimi clarified that Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) uses AI only as a temporary solution while seeking suitable human talent. 'For RTM, it's a stopgap measure until we get the right people to come in. The younger generation — some of them — prefer part-time work. They don't want to work on Sundays or Mondays. Because of that, we have to resort to AI,' he said. However, he maintained that human anchors are still essential for serious news content. 'We let AI present community news, human interest stories, and entertainment. But the more serious ones will always be handled by humans,' he said. Suhaimi also responded to concerns that AI may reduce opportunities for fresh graduates, saying employability now depends on adaptability and value creation. 'I don't think we'll hire fewer fresh grads. What's important is how resourceful and valuable you are. Whatever you study in university, you must balance it with other knowledge to keep up with the rapid changes in technology,' he said. 'You may have a journalism degree, so what? But if you can also do this, this, and this, if you're an expert in something, you become a lot more marketable,' he added. Suhaimi concluded by reiterating that although AI may take over repetitive tasks, the essence of journalism must remain human-led. 'Moving forward with AI, there will be certain jobs that AI will take over. But the position is still there. You are expected to come up with new skills to meet the new challenges. 'Your value should be more than just the repetition work that AI can do,' he said. AI artificial intelligence journalism Suhaimi Sulaiman
Borneo Post
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Embed values of humanity to stay ahead of AI, journalists told
Abdullah delivering his speech at the closing ceremony of the SMeC 2025 today. – Photo by Jude Toyat KUCHING (July 3): Journalists, content creators and digital influencers must uphold and embed values of humanity in their work to safeguard society from the risks of dehumanisation brought by advancing technologies, said Datuk Abdullah Saidol. The Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Sarawak Public Communication Unit) stressed that the essence of humanity must be preserved in a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation. 'I would like to encourage our journalists, reporters — whether certified or not — Facebookers, TikTokers, and the like, to embed within themselves the spirit and values of humanity. 'Distance your souls from hatred and such. That is what will differentiate us from whatever technology we may see in the future — it is our human values,' he said during the closing of the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2025 here today. Abdullah, who is also the organising chairman of SMeC 2025, emphasised that while embracing innovation is crucial, it must not come at the cost of empathy, ethics, and human connection. He reflected on the importance of emotional understanding and cultural sensitivity, noting that Malaysia's diversity in ethnicity, religion, culture, and language is something that AI, now or perhaps ever, may never fully comprehend. He also recalled a conversation with the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, who once asked him when he had last taken his children for a picnic—a question he described as a metaphor for the fading sense of personal connection in today's fast-paced, technology-driven world. Abdullah pointed out that rural connectivity and digital literacy remain significant challenges in Sarawak's digital journey. 'We are talking about AI, but some areas still have no internet. There are towers, but they're not functioning,' he said. 'We must reduce the information gap, the understanding gap, and the awareness gap between what the government aims to do and what the people experience.' He also called for more discussions on the economic impact of AI adoption on the public and media professionals, pointing out the rising costs of digital tools. 'Reporters told me they have to pay RM90 or RM300 a month for apps that help with their work, and yet the company doesn't cover it. 'We need to factor in these hidden costs when we talk about embracing new technologies,' he said. Abdullah added that future initiatives should include policymakers, regulators, and legal experts to explore digital governance and AI regulation in greater depth. He concluded by thanking organisers and volunteers from the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) and Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam) Sarawak, expressing hope for continued collaboration in advancing Sarawak's digital agenda. Abdullah Saidol artificial intelligence embed humanity lead stay ahead
