THE Penang government and state DAP value the hardship of media personnel in the state.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and his entourage visited nine news companies and a news agency this morning to foster closer relationship and to appreciate their dedication towards news reporting.
“It has been a tradition for the past 10 years that we visit the Chinese media companies during the Chinese New Year festive period.
“We want to extend our visit to other news companies and agency this year. We hope that this will be a practice for many years to come,” Chow said in a short interview at The New Straits Times Press (NSTP) branch in Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah today.
Chow, who is also the state DAP chairman, said that he has met the NSTP media practitioners at events, ceremonies and press conferences; however, this was his first time meeting them at the NSTP office.
He hoped that all media practitioners could provide positive feedback to improve communications between the Chief Minister’s Office and the media in Penang.
The group from Penang DAP, including Penang DAPSY chairman Lee Wei Seang, also visited the media companies.
Joining the visit were Senator Lim Hui Ying, state executive council member Yeoh Soon Hin, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Batu Lancang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong, Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng, Seri Delima assemblyman Syerleena Abdul Rashid, Jawi assemblyman H’ng Mooi Lye and Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim.
Boxes of mandarin oranges were distributed during the visit.
Chow said it is crucial for the state’s economy to continue to bloom.
“Growing the economy will bring huge impact to the state in terms of job opportunity and business opportunity.
“I hope that Penang will continue to progress through the Penang 2030 vision which I have initiated,” he said.
The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad chief executive officer Datuk Seri Abdul Jalil Abdul Hamid and regional advertisement head S. Linggaraj welcomed Chow and his team when they arrived.
Chow, Hui Ying and other elected representatives took part in the yee sang tossing at NSTP.
They had earlier taken part in the yee sang tossing during their visit to Star Northern Hub in Bayan Lepas.
A strong team from The Star, led by Star Media Group chief operating officer Roy Tan, greeted the Chief Minister and his team upon their arrival.
Also present were Star Media Group chief content officer Esther Ng, the Group client brand marketing general manager Simone Liong and chief reporter Alex Teng.
Over at RTM Penang, its director Ng Meng Mee and deputy director Nor Hisham Abas welcomed Chow and his team.
Chow hoped for world peace, for Malaysia to be progressive and for Penang to be the favourite destination when interviewed.
“I wish you peace, happiness and Gong Xi Fa Cai,” he said.
Chow and his team also visited Kwong Wah Yit Poh, Bernama, Oriental Daily, Guang Ming Daily, Sin Chew Daily, Nanyang Siang Pau, and China Press.
Chow spent some time meeting with Kwong Wah executive editor-in-chief Lim Seong Eng and his assistant chief editor Teoh Yee Seong; Guang Ming chief editor Tan Teng Kim and news supervisors Chan Yoke Lin and Chiew Siew Hue; Nanyang northern region manager Quaik Chong Tatt and northern region bureau chief Lai Thiem Wah; Sin Chew senior area manager Puah Eu Peng and chief reporter Chua Ching Joo; Oriental Daily bureau chief Ooi Yee Hoon and assistant bureau chief Chan Seok Shan; and China Press northern region manager Lim Kek Hong and northern region chief reporter Teh Poh Bee during his visit.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud