MIRI: Journalists play a vital role in nation-building, said Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau.
“Just imagine a world without journalists,” he said during the Northern Sarawak Journalists Association (NSJA) Christmas gathering on Friday.
“For many, it’s a daily habit to reach for the newspaper first thing in the morning. The press is an integral part of our lives.”
Dennis acknowledged the demanding nature of journalism, commending reporters for their ability to distil complex events into engaging stories.
“You are a special breed,” he said.
“What you do is challenging – chasing after stories – yet every morning, you deliver the news. That is a remarkable achievement.”
While acknowledging the rise of digital news consumption, he emphasised the enduring value of traditional journalism.
“The world has changed,” he said.
“But for me, the habit of reading a newspaper, whether physical or digital, is still irreplaceable.”
At the gathering, he announced a RM7,000 grant from his Minor Rural Project (MRP) allocation to support NSJA.
Nearly 30 members attended, including president Chai Chon Chin.
Also present were Miri MP Chiew Choon Man, PETROS’s Head of Group Corporate Communications Joseph Balan, and Senior Communications Specialist Aaron Gugkang.
