Sarawak To Host SMeC 2026 In Conjunction With HAWANA This July

KUCHING, May 14 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak state government will host the Sarawak Media Conference 2026 (SMeC 2026) in conjunction with National Journalists' Day 2026 (HAWANA 2026) here at the end of July, with a focus on interactive workshops involving youth and media practitioners.

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS), Datuk Abdullah Saidol, said the third edition of the conference is expected to be officiated by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

"Previously, SMeC was held over two days, but this year it will run for one day, featuring a conference followed by workshops at the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) and Tegas Digital Village here.

"This time, we are conducting workshops involving youth, university students, etc. Another workshop will cover artificial intelligence, media digitalisation, governance, ethics, regulation and entrepreneurship within the media industry," he told reporters after presenting special incentives to six Sarawak media associations at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly building today.

Abdullah added that the state-level HAWANA 2026 celebration will feature a dinner as the annual highlight to recognise media practitioners in the state.

Earlier, he presented special incentives totalling RM317,800 to six Sarawak journalist associations, including the Kuching Division Journalists' Association, Kuching Independent Journalists' Organisation and Sibu Journalists' Association.

-- BERNAMA