Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today found himself listening, almost uninterrupted, as Sabah’s journalists laid bare a list of frustrations they say has quietly shaped their working lives for years.
From low wages, unsafe crowd control, restricted access, and the slow grind of a job many describe as passion-driven but financially punishing.
The informal breakfast dialogue, held at the Sutera Magellan this morning, was the first time local media practitioners in the Sabah capital of Kota Kinabalu have had the opportunity to address the sitting prime minister in two years.
Sabah Journalists Association president Mariah Doksil told Anwar that the issues had been simmering since late 2023, when doorstep interviews with the prime minister abruptly stopped.
This came to a boiling point last Sunday, when Anwar chose to engage with a member of the public during his walkabout at Gaya Street, but not the press, who were left hanging.
“We were already waiting…but you didn’t stop (for a short comment).
“Editors kept asking us how you could respond to people on Gaya Street but not to the media,” she said.
She added that later that night, “the same thing happened”, where Anwar instantly left after unveiling PKR's candidates for the Sabah polls without talking to the press.
Mariah also described several incidents where security personnel, moving rapidly to shield the prime minister, had unintentionally put journalists at risk, including a reporter who was almost shoved into a drain.
“We didn’t know where to stand… Some of our journalists are already senior citizens, if he breaks a bone, what happens?” said Mariah as the crowd broke into laughter.
Long-running issue
But it was the long-running issue of low wages that dominated the session.
Some reporters with over a decade of experience still earn around RM2,000 a month after deductions, and many juggle stringing jobs, side commissions and pseudonymous client work simply to stay afloat.
“A lot of us are single parents, or single because we have no time to date… and, sometimes the stories don’t get used, so the claims don’t come. It’s not enough,” said Mariah, referring to reporters working as stringers.
Anwar, who listened quietly for most of the session, nodded repeatedly before offering an apology for the recent communication gaps.
“I do apologise… probably next visit I will make sure that I will respond,” he said, explaining that in Kuala Lumpur, he typically addresses the media weekly or after major announcements.
On the security complaints, he said his officers were acting under heightened threat assessments.
“Their focus, whatever it takes, is to protect the prime minister… There are many threats, domestic and international… sometimes I go left or right, but from their view it is a risk,” he said.
‘I’ll do my part’
On the wage issue, the premier said it is not acceptable if it is true that some have worked 10 years and earn RM2,000, minus everything.
“Media companies are not like before because of competition with social media, but salaries must still be fair,” he said.
Anwar said he would speak to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil about convening a session with media companies to address structural constraints and explore possible incentives.
“I will remind him… I am sympathetic. I will do my part to persuade the media companies to provide something fair,” he said.
He also requested a consolidated overview of Sabah’s media landscape.
“Let me deal with this generally. I’ll ask to submit a general report about the state, the media and journalists, and what we can do,” said Anwar. - Mkini
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