KUCHING: Media practitioners from outside Sarawak will have the opportunity to observe the unity among the multi-ethnic and multi-religious communities in the state through their participation in the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2024, to be held from May 25 to 27.

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Office (Corporate Affairs, Information and Sarawak Public Communications Unit) Datuk Abdullah Saidol said unity is not an issue in the state and the political frictions have minimal impact on its people.

"Media practitioners from outside the state will be able to witness the unity among the people here, a spirit that has long been maintained to ensure peace in Sarawak," he said.

He said this during the unit's Hari Raya Aildilfitri do with the media practitioners and public relations officers today.

Abdullah also urged local media practitioners to focus on reporting news that showcases the unity of Sarawak's people as well as new economic policies of the state government.

"Recently, at an event in Miri, a singer performed a Hari Raya Aidilfitri song in Chinese and during the last Chinese New Year celebration, many of the musicians and lion dance performers were non-Chinese.

"This is a reflection of the spirit of unity in Sarawak that our local media should highlight," he said.

With the theme "Ethics at the Core of Sustainable Journalism," more than 1,000 media practitioners, representatives from local journalist associations, and media representatives from ASEAN member countries are invited to attend HAWANA 2024, which serves as an important platform for the professional media fraternity and industry experts to exchange ideas and form strategic relationships.

Malaysia's largest gathering of journalists is organised by the Communications Ministry in collaboration with the Sarawak state government, while the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) is the executing agency for the annual event.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/1046600/hawana-2024-chance-observe-unity-sarawak