THE Penang Newspaper and Booksellers Association (Penba) needs to try its best to explore the available platforms to continue to compete in this technological age.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow offered this advice when he spoke at the 52nd-anniversary ceremony of the association at Abu Siti Lane in George Town tonight.
“Now, there is no denying that the association is also facing another challenge in this era of digitalisation as the print media no longer monopolises the delivery of information today.
“The Penang government is committed to realising its Penang2030 vision of enhancing the quality of life for the local community.
“To this end, the government recognises the importance of fostering an atmosphere of intellectual stimulation and leisure for the mind.
“One way to achieve this is by organising various reading programmes that can help improve knowledge and provide educational opportunities to the community.
“Emphasis on family aspects can be realised through family reading activities based on the concept of ‘edutainment’.
“Through the participation of Malaysians, reading programmes can also serve as a unifying force that supports national unity,” Chow said in his speech.
He also said media owners too are experiencing a decline in readership and loss of advertising revenue but have turned to online content in this digital transformation.
“Looking back on the challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, many newspaper and booksellers suffered livelihoods as a result of the movement control order (MCO) that was implemented.
“Taking this opportunity, I call on the association to stand up together with the state government and overcome this endemic period. Let’s get up and meet the challenges ahead as a team!” Chow said.
Among those present were state Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying, who is also the Tanjong MP, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi, Penba deputy chairman Silvam Maniam and Penba secretary Mohd Ishak Sinthamathar.
Penba chairman Murugesu Muniandy said they were supposed to have a grand 50th-anniversary celebration in 2021 but because of the pandemic, it was postponed to today.
He expressed his gratitude to the state government for giving an RM500 one-off aid to every news vendor to help them during the pandemic.
Chow, in response to Murugesu’s appeal for assistance, announced a donation of RM5,000 in addition to a similar sum pledged by Gooi during his speech to help the association run its activities.
The diners and guests were treated to some nice food and were also entertained by some lively cultural dances and songs.
Penba also handed out monetary incentives to some of its members’ children who excelled in their academic studies.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat