THE HISTORY OF BROADCASTING

PHOTOGRAPHS..... Yahya looking at some old photographs of radio broadcasting in Sabah. Next to him is his Permanent Secretary Datuk Ujang Sulani. Yahya looking at some old photographs of radio broadcasting in Sabah. Next to him is his Permanent Secretary Datuk Ujang Sulani.

By : SHALINA R

The 'Broadcasting History in Sabah' exhibition was launched by the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Yahya Hussin in conjunction with the Independence Day celebration.

The exhibition was organized by the Sabah State Archives at the multipurpose hall in Wisma Pertanian, Kota Kinabalu.

Yahya, who is also the chairman of the state-level committee for the 2012 Independence Day celebration, paid tribute to the Broadcasting Department's role in disseminating news to the public, particularly regarding the government's development work and other information of public interest. He also commended the Sabah State Archives for their work in tracing, identifying and collecting for preservation records that are of historical values.

Sabah has come a long way in the way we send out news and messages since the advent of radio. Before the existence of radio broadcasting, the use of traditional implements like beduk, gong and other communication devices were used to spread information.

With the passage of time and the introduction of new technology, broadcasting has developed rapidly in keeping with the development of the country. The dissemination of information with the help of today's technology has benefited many in the country, including the students at local and international higher learning institutions.

Ramlin Alim, the Assistant Director/Head of Preservation of Public Archives and Research Division, said that the exhibition depicts the rapid development of the broadcasting department in Sabah.

He took the opportunity to commend the government's initiative in introducing the Government Transformation Programme. He said the Government's Transformation Programme introduced in April of 2009 has shown great promise in making the Government more effective in its delivery of services, and in being more accountable to the people.

The exhibition traces the history of broadcasting from the British period to the present time. Some of the exhibits are rare photographs. They include the former directors and staff of Sabah's Broadcasting Department, the activities of the department, the launching and rebranding of the department's products and services, the traditional instruments and old equipment used to spread information as well as the history behind the birth of Malaysia. Also displayed are the pictures of prominent figures involved in broadcasting activities.

According to Sairin Melin, Director of the Sabah State Archives,the exhibition of the historical documents is the result of painstaking study and research by the Sabah State Archives, University Malaysia Sabah and the state's Broadcasting Department with the cooperation of other agencies and departments.

The Director also disclosed that there were side events lined up for visitors during the exhibition. They include the screening of historical films and the quiz contests that offered many prizes. (Insight Sabah)