Sibu: The Sibu Journalists Association (SJA) has revealed two new welfare initiatives for its members, offering a RM250 gadget voucher and a RM200 subsidy for purchasing flight tickets as a gesture of appreciation for the contributions of media practitioners.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, SJA deputy chairman Mohamad Alhadi Shamsawi shared that the RM250 PC Image gadget voucher slated for 2026 aims to assist members in acquiring necessary equipment for their daily assignments, such as earphones and power banks.

He highlighted that many journalists often use personal funds to upgrade their gadgets for work, prompting the introduction of this initiative. The announcement was made during the SJA Sibu Hawana 2025 Dinner, which was attended by media practitioners, strategic partners, and NGO representatives.

Alhadi further explained that the RM200 contribution would provide additional financial support for SJA members purchasing flight tickets under the Communications Ministry’s initiative in collaboration with AirAsia. This program offers a 50 percent discount on flights to ASEAN destinations, and members can claim a RM200 cashback from SJA for tickets costing RM400 after the discount.

Additionally, Alhadi mentioned a RM100 ‘angpao’ for members with birthdays between July and December, following a similar distribution for those born between January and June during the recent Gawai celebration. Moreover, SJA introduced the Tokoh Wartawan SJA 2025 Award, which includes a trophy and a RM1,500 cash prize, to honor an experienced journalist with significant contributions to the industry. This year’s recipient is Edward Subeng Stephen, a former Bernama Sibu district correspondent with over four decades of service in journalism.

These initiatives reflect SJA’s commitment to safeguarding its members’ welfare, irrespective of their company or organizational background.