SERIAN: The Serian Public Works Department (PWD) is committed to strengthening communication with media practitioners to ensure accurate, timely and transparent dissemination of information on infrastructure projects.
Its Divisional Engineer, Chiresly Francis Kureng, said the department aimed to establish a structured platform to share updates on project implementation, complaint management and departmental policies.
He said while Serian PWD consistently carried out its responsibilities in delivering infrastructure projects for the benefit of the local community, its efforts must also be clearly communicated to the public.
“Serian PWD is always committed to fulfilling our responsibilities, especially in the implementation of infrastructure projects for the benefit of the local community.
“However, this effort not only needs to be carried out, but also needs to be communicated. We must be seen doing our job.
“I think the best platform for us to showcase what we have done is through the media. The media is a bridge that can shape perception and provide information to our main target group, which is the rakyat,” he said during a luncheon engagement with media here today (Feb 11).
Chiresly acknowledged that discussions on social media were at times one-sided, with claims that projects were not being implemented or were poorly executed.
He said the department’s efforts were rarely acknowledged online.
Through closer collaboration with media organisations, social media administrators, and representatives from service centres, he said the department hoped to address misinformation and improve public understanding of ongoing works.
As part of the initiative, he said media representatives and stakeholders would be invited to project kick-off sessions and site visits so that information could be shared from the early stages of implementation.
“We are also preparing a communications calendar involving Members of Parliament and state assemblymen to ensure coordinated and consistent updates in the coming months.
“We will compile and review social media feedback as part of efforts to enhance responsiveness and strengthen our complaint-handling mechanism,” he added.
