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Star Media Group's Sabah team bags six honours at Kinabalu Press Awards

Star Media Group's Sabah team bags six honours at Kinabalu Press Awards

The Star30-06-2025
(From left) Sabah bureau chief Datuk Muguntan Vanar, Sandra Sokial, Stephanie Lee, (another STAR stringer) Rebecca Chong and Yong.
KOTA KINABALU: Star Media Group Berhad's Sabah bureau bagged a total of six awards with two golds and four merits in this year's Kinabalu Press Awards.
Journalist Stephanie Lee Shao Fen bagged a gold for Sports Journalism with her story "Giddy up for polo", while she received three merit awards for two entries in the Journalism Award (Feature and News Feature) and news reporting (Non-Feature) categories.
One merit award was a group effort, "Sabah government to investigate demolition of Palau community houses in Semporna amid controversy".
ALSO READ: Giddy up for polo
Sandra Vivian Sokial, a veteran journalist who had been away from the media line for eight years before rejoining the industry last year, bagged gold in the Entertainment, Culture and Arts Reporting category.
Her article "Bringing the tale of Huminodun to the world" also earned her a RM1,500 cash prize. She also received another merit award in the business and economic reporting category.
Retired veteran journalist Chan Kang Yuan, 90, received the Golden Service Award.
ALSO READ: Sabah government to investigate demolition of Palau-community houses in Semporna amid controversy
Chan, who started as a copywriter for a local Chinese daily, spent his entire working life as a journalist covering stories from the time of the British rule of North Borneo to the formation of Malaysia and beyond during six decades in the profession.
His last position was as an editor for another local newspaper, and he retired in 2021.
At the event's opening ceremony, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor called on media practitioners to work with the state government to disseminate policy information, clarify fake news, and provide on-the-ground information to state agencies.
ALSO READ: Bringing the tale of Huminodun to the world
He said both the media and state government must continue to have strategic partnerships so that information can be shared both ways for the betterment of the people.
His speech was delivered by state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is the trustee of the Sabah Journalists Association (SJA).
Newly minted SJA president Mariah Doksil reminded both veteran and rookie reporters to co-exist with artificial intelligence (AI), but never let it take over a writer's creative efforts.
She also called upon all practitioners to work together in the mission to spread verified and dependable information for the benefit of readers, policymakers and journalists.
Also present was Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) president Datuk Yong Soo Heong.
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Sabah leaders not amused as businesses fume
Sabah leaders not amused as businesses fume

Daily Express

time5 minutes ago

  • Daily Express

Sabah leaders not amused as businesses fume

Published on: Friday, July 25, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 25, 2025 Text Size: Dr Jeffrey (left) and Dr Joachim (right) both disagreed with the move. Kota Kinabalu: Businesses are not the only ones unhappy over the sudden declaration of an additional public holiday on the eve of Malaysia Day on September 16 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Even Sabah politicians who have been in the forefront of regaining Sabah's rights in the Malaysia Agreement they claim have been ignored over the decades by Federal are not amused. They said the Sept. 15 holiday is not necessary. Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan from Star and Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam of PBS both disagreed with the move. 'Personally, I feel Malaysia, especially Sabah, has too many holidays already,' Dr Gunsalam, who is Parti Bersatu Sabah President, said. Dr Jeffrey said Malaysia Day is already a national holiday and there is no need to declare another day on Sept. 15. 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FMM said many businesses remain unclear whether the holiday falls under Section 8 or Section 9 of the Holidays Act 1951, which would affect their obligations under the Employment Act 1955. 'This is critical to provide legal clarity and enable businesses to plan operations, workforce scheduling, and ensure compliance with the Employment Act 1955,' said FMM president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai. The group warned that manufacturers operating on shift-based or continuous cycles face higher risks from such unplanned disruptions. The four-day stretch from Saturday to Tuesday may force production lines to halt and restart, which FMM said would be inefficient and costly. It added that the cascading effects on supply chains, logistics and delivery timelines would be especially difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to manage. FMM advised employers to prepare buffer stock, adjust schedules, and communicate with workers, customers and suppliers to minimise operational risks. The group also reminded businesses to monitor the gazette and consider using the substitution option under Section 8, if applicable. It then reiterated its view that 'policy announcements must reflect clarity, consistency, certainty, and credibility,' adding that ad hoc decisions could undermine Malaysia's attractiveness to investors. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

Anwar unveils three measures to boost Malaysia's semiconductor industry
Anwar unveils three measures to boost Malaysia's semiconductor industry

New Straits Times

time14 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Anwar unveils three measures to boost Malaysia's semiconductor industry

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Malaysia installs solar PV in 807 govt buildings, saves RM48m yearly
Malaysia installs solar PV in 807 govt buildings, saves RM48m yearly

The Sun

time15 hours ago

  • The Sun

Malaysia installs solar PV in 807 govt buildings, saves RM48m yearly

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