The media has the opportunity and responsibility to report and expose any shortcomings they observe, so that a solution to the problems highlighted can be achieved.

Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem said they could not remain silent upon seeing a menace in the society, or worse, in a "state of denial" and refused to do anything about it.

He said whether it was about environment awareness or exposure on any irregularities, even within the government, the media had a role to report it, and the government in fact was encouraging them to do so.

"All we want from you (media) is to be fair in your reporting, and we will support you,” he said at the Kenyalang Journalism Award presentation, organised by Federation of Sarawak Journalist Association at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, in Kuching last night.

Also present were Sarawak’s Second Finance Minister, Wong Soon Koh, Malaysian Press Institute chief executive officer Chamil Wariya, and Bernama editor-in-chief Zakaria Abd Wahab.

The event saw reporters from The Borneo Post , Utusan Sarawak , Sin Chew Daily News and RTM , awarded with the Journalism award, with each receiving a cash prize of RM5,000.

– Bernama