We must accept a critical media

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai said the mass media in the country is critical at times but it is a fact that must be accepted by everyone, including him, since Malaysia is a democratic country.

"We live in a democratic society and there is a certain degree of press freedom, so I never have any qualms about any of the media, which so far have been very kind to me," he said.

According to Dr Yee, who is also Resource Development and Information Technology Minister, the media practitioners are all professionals like other careers such as engineers, architects and doctors.

"As professionals, I am confident that you will do a good job and I would like to stress here that having a good relationship with the media is an important aspect in the lives of public figures," he added.

Dr Yee said this when witnessing the swearing-in of the Kota Kinabalu Jounalists Association 2012-2015 office-bearers, here, Saturday.

He also expressed confidence that the association, under the current leadership, will grow from strength to strength.

Meanwhile, newly-elected KKJA Chairman, Jimmy Goh, expressed the association's gratitude to its Advisors who, for the past 20 years, have been assisting KKJA without any conditions.

"We hope our Advisors will continue to support us because without your assistance, KKJA will not be where it is today," he said.

Goh also disclosed that KKJA hopes to be able to purchase another piece of real estate so that it can collect a regular income for its welfare programmes, especially the education fund for its members' children.

He added that as KKJA is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, it will be organising several activities including a fund-raising golf tournament which will be organised by its Recreation Officer, Desmond Qwek.

Sources: Daily Express

Picture: Google Image