Media Plays Important Role In Highlighting SEB's Issues

KUCHING: The Sarawak-based media has been very supportive in giving Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) a balanced coverage including the not-so-positive stories.

SEB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Datuk Torstein Dale Sjotveit said that, this means giving SEB the opportunity to present their side of our story on the work that they do, as well as on the various issues that confront SEB.

He said this in his speech at the SEB Media Appreciation Night held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuchingt (BCCK) near the city here last night.

Torstein also expressed his appreciation to the Kuching Division Journalists Association (KDJA) and Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA) for working together with Sarawak Energy to develop the Hydropower Development and Social Progress Awards for 2014.

He said that, the main objective of the award is to encourage research and writhings on hydropower and the social progress it can bring.

"Before this intiative, there were not many articles and stories on hydropower in the local media. This could be due to the difficulty in sourcing for first hand information o the subject."

"As many of you saw during the SEB's media trip to Murum in December last year, the Sarawak Government has brought many positive changes to the communities through the Resettlement Action Plan."

"While there are some improvements required in the process, I can tell you that what we have for the people in Murum is amongst the best world has ever seen," he added.

"But most important, media can highlight what SEB are doing goes beyond Murum that is the power generated benefits the whole of Sarawak, translating into foreign investment and job, housing and enducation," said Torstein.

"There is a transformation happening in Sarawak that is not always visible in Muru, in Samalaju and Mukah that will benefit the whole state, both now and the future generations," he said adding that this should be reported consistently and frequently.

Announcing that SEB are planning more events to deepen the media’s knowledge of the transformation, Torstein also said that a workshop will be organized for you better understand how electricity is generated and transmitter and our role as a fully integrated utility as requested.

"We will also try work with other agencies to give media members the opportunity view for yourselves the achievements of SCORE in Samalaju and the mushrooming of the energy intensive industries that we are power in the state," he added. - Sarawakiana.