Kota Kinabalu: The Kota Kinabalu Journalists Association (KKJA) is poised to navigate the changing media landscape while defending members’ rights and upholding journalistic integrity under its newly elected leadership team and amended constitution.
The association’s annual meeting on Wednesday saw Jimmy Goh re-elected unopposed as Chairman, while Nancy Lai retains her position as Deputy Chairlady for the 2024-2027 term.
Goh is a veteran journalist, having worked as a photographer for the Overseas Chinese Daily News, Daily Express and also Asia Week magazine based in Hong Kong in 1984.
He founded the KKJA in 1990 and served as its first chairman in 1992. He has held multiple chairmanship terms over the decades.
Jimmy Goh
A previous key amendment passed allows the chairman to be re-elected indefinitely, removing previous two-term limits.
This clears the way for Goh to continue leading based on his experience.
In his opening remarks, Goh thanked members for their trust and outlined KKJA’s efforts over the past three challenging pandemic years to support journalists’ welfare despite difficulties hosting major events.
Four motions amending KKJA’s constitution were passed, notably creating a new “Digital Media Membership” category to adapt to the increasing digitalisation of the media industry.
However, stringent criteria require three years of full-time digital journalism experience to safeguard print media members’ interests.
Another amendment reduces the Executive Committee size from 17 to 11 members to ease achieving a quorum. Ordinary members must now complete three years before accessing benefits to discourage short-term membership solely for privileges.
Continuing an initiative from last year, KKJA will again organize a blood donation drive on August 18 to mark Journalists’ Day and replenish hospital supplies as a community service.
Two motions called for establishing a Sabah Media Council alongside the proposed federal Malaysia Media Council, as well as forming a “Borneo Bloc” with Sarawak’s media fraternity to amplify the East Malaysian perspective on regulatory affairs.
There was lively discussion on how KKJA can best serve journalists’ advancement while adapting to the evolving media environment under the new leadership and constitutional changes.
The other key KKJA appointments are Vice Chairmen Peter Kwan and Sherell Ann Jeffrey, Teo Jinn Jiun (Secretary), Lester Joseph Bingkasan (Assistant Secretary), Stephanie Lee Shao Fen (Treasurer), Yvonne Ho Yin Yin (Assistant Treasurer), David Shia Kwong Ing (Welfare Officer), Yik Lai Ming (Recreation Officer), Yap Siong Han (Training Officer), Jenne John Lajiun (Liaison Officer), and Chu Ping Tyng, Alex Ong Yong Khin and Larry Ralon (Executive Committee Members).
