KUCHING: The peaceful political situation in Sarawak provides the state government the opportunity to focus on its development agenda especially in rural areas, said Datuk Abdullah Saidol.
The Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Office (Corporate Affairs, Information, and Sarawak Public Communications Unit) thus encouraged the local media to continue writing news that promotes positivity.
“The political situation in Sarawak is definitely not as ‘hot’ as the situation like in other parts of the country (Peninsular Malaysia).
“Therefore, we hope that the media will not take the opportunity to create sensationalism and the like when there is no political story to be written,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after officiating at the Bubur Lambuk and Sumbangsih Ramadan Media Sarawak programme at Metrocity Matang here on Saturday (March 25).
Abdullah welcomed the efforts of social media practitioners who are interested in becoming unofficial journalists through their respective social media platforms.
“Some are critical of what we do, but we take those criticism as constructive feedback to continue providing better services to the people,” he said.
On the recent issue where the opposition questioned the need for the Premier and Deputy Premier to utilise the hydrogen powered Toyota Mirai as official cars, he said they were not bought by the state government but instead gifted in recognition to the state promoting green energy.
“Toyota recognises our efforts in advancing the hydrogen industry. Therefore, the vehicles were handed over to the state government as a token of appreciation.
“I think this is not an issue at all so it should not be blown out of proportion. We see this becoming an issue because there are those who are seeking attention and this is the way of getting it,” he added.
