BANGKOK: Insights from Thailand’s world-class International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) will help Sarawak strengthen media coordination and improve broadcast quality for the 2027 SEA Games.
Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Deputy Minister Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, who is part of the Sarawak delegation currently observing operations at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bangkok, said the visit offered valuable lessons on how major sporting events manage live coverage, information flow, and media support.
He noted that Thailand’s IBC and press centre provided a clear blueprint of the level of organisation required.
“We thank the team running the centre for giving us very good insight into how the International Broadcasting Centre and press centre operate,” he said.
He added that the experience was especially timely as Sarawak prepares to host 17 sports at the 2027 SEA Games, where media services will be among the core components determining the quality of the event.
“We have to look at how we can improve based on what we have seen here, including the quality of feed, how information is managed, and how we can ensure full satisfaction for all media partners involved,” he told reporters at the IBC today (Dec 8).
Emphasising the importance of regional collaboration, Rentap said ASEAN hosts must continue learning from one another to raise standards collectively.
“In the spirit of ASEAN, cooperation is important so we do not repeat mistakes but instead learn and improve together.
“The media centre plays a very important role, and we are looking at the 2027 SEA Games in Sarawak.
“We have to have something equivalent or, hopefully, learn lessons from our friends here in Thailand so that we can improve for 2027,” he added.
Rentap added that Thailand’s newly completed broadcasting facilities demonstrated how thoughtful planning and efficient workflow can enhance coverage for millions of viewers across the region.
Accompanying Rentap to tour the facilities were Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat, Deputy State Secretary (Operations) Datuk Hii Chang Kee, Acting chief executive officer of Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) Khairul Nizam Morshidi, and Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) permanent secretary Morshidi Frederick.
Photo : Faitullah Morni/TVS
