Christina Liew
KOTA KINABALU: The Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry (KePKAS) has created two new portfolios named Sabah Convention Bureau and Sabah-Malaysia My Second Home Programme (Sabah-MM2H).
Its Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the Sabah Convention Bureau is operational this year with the appointment of Noredah Othman as its Chief Executive Officer, while the Sabah-Malaysia My Second Home Programme (Sabah-MM2H) with an upcoming office to be manned by government officers.
With these, KePKAS now has eight portfolios. The rest are Sabah Tourism Board, Sabah Parks Board of Trustees, Sabah Museum Department, Sabah Wildlife Department, Environment Protection Department and Sabah Cultural Board.
Speaking at a Chinese New Year Press Luncheon hosted by her at a leading hotel here yesterday, Liew said responsible reporting is the hallmark of Sabah’s media fraternity in disseminating accurate information to the general public, especially on government policies, programmes and development projects.
She, however, observed that with the advent of social media platforms to facilitate communication and knowledge acquisition, the reporter’s job has become increasingly challenging.
“The work of media practitioners now entails having to verify certain news reports on social media with the relevant authorities. Some social media postings turn out to be fake news and thus misleading or confusing the public.
“Actually, sharing or exchanging useful facts or ideas among users on social media is a healthy thing and should be encouraged. However, certain irresponsible parties abuse their usage of social media for their own gain,” Liew cautioned.
Speaking from experience, she recalled : “I myself became a victim of social media abuse some years ago when certain quarters defamed me by spreading lies about me on a social media platform. Fortunately, justice prevailed and my name was cleared by the High Court of Sabah while a penalty was imposed on the slanderer. Truth conquers all evil, as the saying goes.”
Meanwhile, Liew said KePKAS will look into the proposal by the United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK) to incorporate the Chinese New Year Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Festival into Sabah’s tourism calendar as an annual event.
She said her team – Assistant Minister, Permanent Secretary and Sabah Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer will study the proposal.
“It is a good proposal. We are taking it up for discussion, and will present it to the Chief Minister and State Government for consideration and endorsement.
“The Chinese New Year Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Festival is held every year by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in reference to USCCAKK.
“The dance festival is an integral part of Chinese culture, and popular with local communities,” she told reporters after the luncheon.
Liew was replying to a reporter who posed a question on the proposal made by the President of USCCAKK Datuk Susan Wong at the Chinese New Year Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Festival at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) last Saturday.
Also present at the gathering were Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister and Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, KePKAS Permanent Secretary Josie Lai, Deputy Permanent Secretary II Alesia Sion, Sabah Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffrey Jimit, Sri Pelancongan Sabah Chief Executive Officer Thonny Chee, Bernama Sabah Bureau Chief Fadzli Ramli, Star Sabah Bureau Chief Datuk Muguntan Vanar, and Chairman of Kota Kinabalu Journalists Association (KKJA) Jimmy Goh.
