KOTA KINABALU: Borneo.TV is set to become the main platform for Sabah’s local talents to showcase their creativity to the world, said Datuk Rosmadi Datu Sulai, Chief Coordinator of the Sabah Maju Jaya Secretariat.
He dismissed claims that local creatives are being sidelined.
“The State Government is always open to meeting influencers, industry players, and local artists to discuss issues and improve the creative sector,” he said.
Rosmadi urged Sabah’s content creators and production companies to seize the opportunity presented by Borneo.TV, which was launched on July 1 by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor under the theme “Sabah in the Eyes of the World.”
“This is the time to create high-quality content that can be promoted internationally.
“Borneo.TV would support human capital development in digital broadcasting among Sabahans and provide a global platform to share Sabah’s stories, culture, and natural beauty,” he said.
The Sabah Creative Industry Action Committee (Jatiks) had urged the State Government to address serious concerns over the implementation of Borneo.TV.
In a letter to Hajiji, Jatiks stated that while they welcome the platform’s potential, its execution lacks transparency, industry consultation, and structural safeguards to protect the interests of local creatives.
Jatiks warned that Sabah’s creatives risk being sidelined due to lack of transparency in Borneo.TV’s editorial control, participation process, and copyright handling.
They criticised the absence of open submissions, exclusion of local studios, and failure to obtain consent from ethnic communities.
With 90pc of creatives struggling financially, Jatiks is demanding the SMJ-IB Media agreement be made public, a clear development roadmap, a cultural oversight body, a dedicated creative industry agency, and the revival of TV Okey.
“We do not reject Borneo.TV, we want it to be fair, transparent, and truly benefit Sabahans,” they said.
