Kota kinabalu: The Sabah Journalists Association (SJA) has introduced two categories for the Kinabalu Press Awards (KPA) 2026, with entries officially open starting today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, SJA president Mariah Doksil announced the two new categories: the Entertainment, Culture and Arts Photography Award and the Promising Journalist Award. These additions aim to empower media practitioners and nurture emerging talent.

Mariah Doksil highlighted that these new categories increase the total number of categories offered at KPA 2026 to eight, accommodating entries in Bahasa Melayu, English, and Chinese. The goal is to encourage greater participation among young journalists and provide photographers with opportunities to broaden their coverage to promote local culture, arts, the music industry, and local artistes.

The SJA is once again collaborating with the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI), which will serve as the secretariat for managing participation and judging the KPA 2026. All entries are required to be submitted online. SJA strongly encourages participants to submit high-impact articles to ensure they are competitive at the KPA level and potentially worthy of being showcased on the national stage, such as the Malaysian Journalism Awards (HKM).

Entries for KPA 2026 are open only to news reports published between January 1 and December 31, 2025, with the closing date set for March 15. For further enquiries regarding the categories, prizes, competition terms and conditions, individuals can refer to the website link or contact KPA 2026 Organising Committee chairman Mohd Nazllie Zainul at 013-8542972 or SJA secretary Siti Aisyah Narudin at 019-8508059.