Social media has power to make or break food businesses, says deputy minister

Snowdan (top row, centre), Sherrina (top row, third right), Peter (top row, left), Tan (top row, second right), Cheng (top row, second left), and the winners of DayakDaily's 'Gastronomy and I: My Favourite Dish' writing competition posing for a photo group photo.

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, July 6: Writings through social media have the power to make or break a food business, says Sarawak Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Snowdan Lawan.

He was commenting on DayakDaily’s ‘Gastronomy and I: My Favourite Dish’ writing competition, which allows the members of the public to show off their writing skills and, at the same time, share their stories on their favourite dish.

“Your postings on social media introducing certain dishes, without you knowing, makes a big difference to the business that offers the dish.

“Social media with big followers may even make or break a food business. That is how powerful writing can be,” he said when officiating the prize-giving ceremony for the competition held at the Imperial Hotel here today.

Snowdan, who is also Balai Ringin assemblyman, further said that writing is not merely the act of putting words together; it is a powerful tool that shapes minds, influences societies, and records histories and civilisations.

“Through writing, we share our stories, our cultures, our history and our visions.

“It is through the written words that ideas are preserved, disseminated, and debated, ultimately leading to progress and innovation,” he added.

During the competition, Snowdan presented the Gold Award to Jasmine Tan Sze Min from Kuching for winning the Adult Category (19 years old and above), earning a cash prize of RM3,500, a trophy, a certificate, and a three-day, two-night (3D2N) voucher at the Imperial Hotel.

Moy Chee Ban took the Silver Award with a cash prize of RM2,500, while Lee Woon Jiun claimed the Bronze Award with RM1,500.

Meanwhile, for the Youth Category, Mikhael Lewi Mackie from SMK Bandar Sibu won first place, receiving a cash prize of RM2,500, a trophy, a certificate, and a three-day, two-night (3D2N) voucher at the Imperial Hotel.

Claire Chen Ching Yuan secured second place with a cash prize of RM1,500, and Christian Richardson Donald was the third-place winner, receiving RM1,000. — DayakDaily