KUCHING – The Sarawak Journalists Association (PEWARTA) has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the welfare and enhancing the professionalism of media practitioners in the state, with renewed focus on training, welfare initiatives and strategic partnerships.
The association recently held its Annual General Meeting (AGM), followed by a dinner event attended by journalists, photographers and industry stakeholders. The AGM reviewed achievements since 2019 and acknowledged the contributions of past leadership.
Chairman of the dinner organising committee, Wilfred Pilo, highlighted that PEWARTA serves not only as a professional body but also as a unifying platform for journalists and media photographers, particularly after the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He explained that the dinner was intended to strengthen ties between members and industry partners. “Apart from the AGM, the organisation of this dinner aims to strengthen relations between PEWARTA members with strategic partners and stakeholders in the media industry. The presence of many columnists and journalists tonight proves strong support for the association,” he said.
Since its establishment, PEWARTA has distributed more than RM200,000 in contributions to media practitioners. These funds have been directed towards welfare support, skills development and professional networking, reflecting the association’s mission to protect and empower those working in journalism.
The association also received recognition from the Sarawak Premier’s Department, with Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Deputy Minister for Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS, acknowledging PEWARTA as one of six registered associations in Sarawak eligible for special incentives announced at the State Legislative Assembly last month.
UKAS Acting Director Mohamed Faisal Shah Ali praised the association’s role in maintaining journalistic integrity and ethics.
“PEWARTA plays an important role in ensuring that the integrity and ethics of journalism are maintained. Congratulations to the new leadership and I hope that this association continues to be relevant and competitive,” he said.
During the AGM, the leadership line-up for the 2025–2028 term was confirmed. Peter Sibon retained his position as President, while Kadir Edison was appointed Secretary, succeeding Karen Bong. Adrian Lim took over as Treasurer from Nancy Nais.
The association expressed hopes of continuing to grow as the principal voice for Sarawak’s media community, ensuring sustainability and professionalism in the industry.
The event was attended by notable figures including Samuel Simon, Senior Press Secretary to the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, and Hamdan Ismail, Bernama Sarawak Bureau Chief, alongside a wide representation of media practitioners from Kuching.
PEWARTA’s renewed direction underscores its role as a cornerstone of Sarawak’s journalism landscape, aiming to balance welfare support with professional standards while fostering collaboration across the media sector.
