SIPITANG, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- Media practitioners in Sabah have been urged to utilise writing as a platform to promote unity among the country's multiracial populace.
State information executive councillor Datuk Sapawi Ahmad (picture) said the media was in the best position to motivate the people towards safeguarding unity.
He called on the media to report based on facts and not manipulating certain issues to the extent of touching racial sensitivities. "The media has a role to play in disseminating accurate news in a speedy manner to the people, including news items concerning national unity," he told reporters when met at the Sipitang Umno open house in conjunction with the Aidilfitri here today.
Sapawi, who is Sipitang member of parliament, was asked to comment on the role of the media against the backdrop of current issues involving Malaysia domestically and regionally.
Citing the pendet dance controversy as an example, Sapawi said the issue should not be blown out of proportion as it was for both governments to find an amicable solution to the matter.
The Indonesian media have been harping on the issue for weeks now claiming that Malaysia had stolen what they claimed as Indonesian cultural property despite the clarification by Malaysia that it had never laid claims on the traditional Balinese dance.
On the domestic front, Sapawi said playing up racial issues was not helpful to the 1Malaysia vision.
The media should help the government to make the vision a reality by telling inspiring stories of how the people stood united despite their cultural and religious backgrounds, he said.
-- BERNAMA
State information executive councillor Datuk Sapawi Ahmad (picture) said the media was in the best position to motivate the people towards safeguarding unity.
He called on the media to report based on facts and not manipulating certain issues to the extent of touching racial sensitivities. "The media has a role to play in disseminating accurate news in a speedy manner to the people, including news items concerning national unity," he told reporters when met at the Sipitang Umno open house in conjunction with the Aidilfitri here today.
Sapawi, who is Sipitang member of parliament, was asked to comment on the role of the media against the backdrop of current issues involving Malaysia domestically and regionally.
Citing the pendet dance controversy as an example, Sapawi said the issue should not be blown out of proportion as it was for both governments to find an amicable solution to the matter.
The Indonesian media have been harping on the issue for weeks now claiming that Malaysia had stolen what they claimed as Indonesian cultural property despite the clarification by Malaysia that it had never laid claims on the traditional Balinese dance.
On the domestic front, Sapawi said playing up racial issues was not helpful to the 1Malaysia vision.
The media should help the government to make the vision a reality by telling inspiring stories of how the people stood united despite their cultural and religious backgrounds, he said.
-- BERNAMA
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