KUCHING: The RM700 figure announced in the Sarawak Budget for media practitioners was intended as a formula to determine contributions to registered media associations, rather than a direct payment to individual journalists.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS), Datuk Abdullah Saidol, said the announcement by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had been misunderstood by some as a form of direct financial aid for every media practitioner.
“The RM700 mentioned in the budget was not meant for every individual. It was only used as a formula to determine the amount of contribution that would be channelled to media associations based on their membership numbers,” he said when met by reporters after the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme organised by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) in collaboration with the Malaysian Red Crescent Society Kuching District at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak on Thursday (March 5).
Abdullah explained that the state government could not distribute RM700 directly to individual journalists.
“As media practitioners are not part of the civil service, they do not fall under the same assistance schemes provided for government employees,” he said.
“Instead, the Premier proposed that a special contribution be channelled to registered media associations in the state.”
He added that each association had been asked to submit its membership figures, with the total funding calculated based on RM700 multiplied by the number of members registered with the respective association.
“However, this does not mean that each member will receive RM700. The funds are meant as contributions to the associations for their activities and welfare programmes,” he explained.
According to Abdullah, the allocation is intended to help media associations support their members, particularly in cases involving accidents, hospitalisation or other welfare-related needs.
He said the initiative reflects the state government’s recognition of the media’s role and its commitment to supporting the welfare of media practitioners through their respective associations.
At the same time, Abdullah encouraged more media practitioners to join media associations in order to strengthen welfare support networks, and enhance cooperation between the government and the media community in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, he said the Premier had also agreed in principle to a proposal to establish a dedicated clubhouse for media practitioners in the state.
“The proposed facility will serve as a space where media personnel can gather, work and interact, with amenities such as internet access and other work-related facilities,” he added.
However, Abdullah noted that membership of the clubhouse would not be entirely free, as the government would only provide funding for the infrastructure while operational matters would need to be managed separately.
“The project is currently in the planning stage as we identify a suitable location and assess the estimated costs involved.
“I hope the project can eventually be realised and further strengthen cooperation between the government, agencies and the media community in Sarawak,” he said.
