Kota Kinabalu: Media practitioners in Sabah expressed hope that Budget 2025 will take into account their needs and those of the newspaper industry in the State to ensure the sector continues to contribute effectively to national development.
Utusan Borneo Sabah editor-in-chief Datuk Lichong Angkui said the media industry in the State should receive incentives and subsidies, given the telecommunications infrastructure remains underdeveloped compared to Peninsular Malaysia due to Sabah’s geography and topography.
“We hope Budget 2025 will include specific packages and incentives for media practitioners, such as higher mobile phone bill rebates for media personnel in Sabah compared to those in the peninsula.
“Perhaps special subsidies for purchasing laptops and other gadgets could also be considered,” he said.
SPONSORED CONTENT Enjoy a taste of Malaysia, everyday with Ayam Brand™ local pastes SHAH ALAM: Fact: Every time Malaysians travel abroad, we almost immediately miss the taste of home. You don’t need to be homesick to celebrate Malaysia’s rich culinary heritage when you can savor the authentic taste of Malaysia in your own home with Ayam Brand™ cooking pastes. Read more He added that these measures are crucial, especially considering the high cost of living in the State, while local media practitioners’ salaries remain significantly lower.
He also highlighted the income disparity between media practitioners in Sabah and their counterparts in the peninsula, partly due to the absence of a trade union to advocate for their rights through a Collective Agreement (CA) like in the peninsula.
At the same time, Lichong urged the Government to improve broadband penetration in Sabah, as many areas still lack reliable internet coverage.
“There are locations in Sabah, not far from city centres, where it is still difficult to get internet coverage, while in the peninsula, people are already talking about 5G.
“Expanding broadband access is vital for supporting the newspaper industry in Sabah, which has diversified into online ventures,” he said.
Lichong, who is also Ikatan Setiakawan Wartawan Indonesia-Malaysia (ISWAMI) Administrative Council member, said media operations in Sabah remain sustainable despite the challenges posed by the digital world, although many have downsized due to declining advertisers.
“In this regard, the Government could consider providing incentives or subsidies for purchasing paper used in newspapers, not only in Sabah but nationwide, to help mitigate operational costs,” he said.
He also hoped the Government would introduce proactive measures to support and develop the media industry nationwide.
“One approach worth considering is tax exemptions for media practitioners and newspaper industry players, especially in Sabah,” he said.
Echoing similar sentiments is Sabah News Today (SNT) portal owner Zakaria Damit, who hopes Budget 2025 will offer subsidies and other initiatives, particularly in purchasing mobile phones, laptops and continued telecom subsidies.
“Most media practitioners now operate outside the office and rely heavily on such equipment to complete their assignments,” he said.
He also urged the Government, especially the Communications Ministry, to seriously address the rise of unregistered online media, particularly in Sabah.
“These entities operate without regulation and conduct news coverage unabashedly, especially when reporting on crime and other sensitive topics. It raises the question of what guidelines and laws should be enforced to prevent them from tarnishing the reputation of legitimate media practitioners in Sabah,” he said.
Zakaria further suggested that the Government provide financial support to registered media outlets in Sabah to ensure their continued relevance and operational viability in the future. “Many online media outlets have limited staff and often operate from home. To keep these portals competitive, the Government needs to allocate appropriate funding to ensure Sabah’s media remains relevant,” he said.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
