KUCHING (Jan 30): Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Chiew Choon Man, has met with Sarawak media practitioners in Kuching in an introductory session aimed at building closer cooperation between the ministry and the local press.
The session, supported by Tourism Malaysia Sarawak, was held at Restoran Lepau and attended by journalists and media representatives from various organisations. It was Chiew Choon Man’s first official engagement with the Sarawak media since his appointment as Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture about one and a half months ago.
During the meeting, Chiew Choon Man said the media plays an important role in promoting Sarawak, especially as Malaysia prepares for the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign. He noted that Sarawak has strong tourism potential because of its culture, heritage and natural attractions, and these need to be shared clearly with both local and international audiences.
He explained that close cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the media is important to ensure accurate information reaches the public. According to him, the media is not only a channel for tourism promotion but also a platform to highlight issues faced by local communities and tourism industry players.
Chiew Choon Man, who is also the Member of Parliament for Miri, encouraged media practitioners to maintain open communication with him and the ministry. He said journalists should feel free to raise issues related to tourism, arts and culture so that they can be addressed properly by the relevant authorities.
He also shared that media reporting has helped bring attention to public concerns in the past, leading to faster responses from the authorities. This, he said, shows the positive role of responsible journalism in supporting good governance.
Media practitioners who attended the session welcomed the opportunity to meet the Deputy Minister in a relaxed and open setting. The discussion covered various topics, including tourism development, cultural promotion and the role of the media in the digital age.
The session ended on a positive note, with both sides expressing hope for continued engagement and cooperation in the future. Chiew Choon Man said he looks forward to meeting the Sarawak media again during future visits as Malaysia moves closer to Visit Malaysia 2026.
