KUCHING: Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, has emphasised the need to close the information gap so that all levels of society can fully benefit from the government’s development initiatives.
Awang Tengah highlighted that while government policies are well-designed, their impact will be limited if not effectively communicated to the people.
He urged NGOs like Angkatan Zaman Mansang Sarawak (AZAM) to take on a greater role in bridging this gap.
“Good policies alone are not enough. If they don’t reach the grassroots, they lose their value.
“AZAM must be empowered to help drive this communication,” he said.
He said this at the AZAM Sarawak ‘Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri: Raya Kali Tok’ event, last night (Apr17) at Imperial Hotel.
He also noted AZAM’s growing potential beyond state borders, stating that its strong network and commitment could position it as a model for development communication across the ASEAN region.
This includes its efforts in areas such as youth engagement, digital education, grassroots media, and social innovation.
“AZAM’s values – empowering rural voices, nurturing young leaders, and advancing digital strategies – are key as we move forward in this rapidly evolving world,” he added.
The event also saw the launch of AZAM Sarawak’s new official website, designed to serve as a key communication hub connecting government bodies, community leaders, educational institutions and development partners locally and internationally.
