JOHOR BARU: The Johor state government has announced a record RM150,000 allocation for the Johor Media Club (KMJ) for the upcoming year, marking the highest funding the club has ever received.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said that the increased allocation reflected the government's commitment to supporting media practitioners and acknowledging their invaluable contributions.
"KMJ organises nearly 50 activities annually, and previous allocations ranging from RM50,000 to RM90,000 were insufficient. Therefore, we have decided to raise the allocation to RM150,000 for next year," he said in his speech at the club's annual general meeting, held at a hotel here last night.
Onn Hafiz said the role of the media in shaping public perception and advancing Johor's ambitions under the Johor Maju 2030 vision was critical.
He said that the state's progress was a collective effort, involving collaboration between the executive council, federal and state agencies, and the media.
He urged media professionals to continue providing accurate, constructive reporting, which is essential for attracting investors and driving economic growth in Johor.
Also present at the event were Johor State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, State Education and Information Committee chairman Aznan Tamin, and KMJ president Mohamad Fauzi Ishak.
Mohamad Fauzi, who is also the president of the Malaysian Media Club Federation (GKMM), expressed gratitude for the increased allocation, adding that it demonstrated the state government's appreciation of the media's role in providing reliable news.
"This allocation is a significant acknowledgment of KMJ's efforts, and we are deeply thankful to Menteri Besar for his unwavering support," Fauzi said.