KUCHING: The Special Appreciation Award from the Sarawak Premier and the HAWANA Outstanding Award 2024 will take center stage during the National Journalist Day (HAWANA) 2024 celebration.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs, Information & UKAS), Datuk Abdullah Saidol, said that the Special Appreciation Award from the Sarawak Premier will be presented to five media practitioners in the state as a token of appreciation.
"The HAWANA Outstanding Award 2024 will be presented to an individual or organisation to be decided shortly by the secretariat," he said to the media after chairing the Sarawak Media Conference Steering Committee (SMEC) 2024 and HAWANA 2024 meeting at a hotel here on Saturday.
He further informed that final preparations are being made to ensure both programmes will be among the best organised in the Land of the Hornbills.
He mentioned that HAWANA 2024 in Sarawak will feature uniqueness compared to previous HAWANA events because SMEC 2024 will involve renowned international and local speakers.
"The Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi will also be the guests of honour during the dinner reception for SMEC 2024 on May 26," he said.
With the theme 'Media Evolution in the Digital Era,' SMEC 2024 is expected to attract around 600 participants to the two-day conference starting on May 26.
The peak ceremony of SMEC 2024 is expected to be officiated by the Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg.
Meanwhile, HAWANA 2024, themed 'Ethics, the Core of Sustainable Journalism,' will also be attended by media practitioners from across the country, local journalist associations, and media representatives from ASEAN member countries.
The peak event of HAWANA 2024 will be officiated by the Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, on May 27.
The HAWANA 2024 exhibition, involving 20 booths, will also take place on May 25, 2024, at Merdeka Plaza. -UKASnews
