ASEAN: Bernama Committed To Ensuring Top-tier Reporting, Media Coordination

By Muhammad Faiz Baharin

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, scheduled for Jan 18 and 19 in Langkawi, will mark the inaugural event of Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN, which commenced on Jan 1.

The event will also create another milestone for the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), as it once again serves as the official media and coordinator for the International Media Centre for the ASEAN Summit 2025.

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Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj said the agency had made extensive preparations since early last year, including training sessions on news writing and briefings to ensure seamless execution.

He said Bernama is committed to fulfilling its role as the official media and coordinator for the International Media Centre by utilising resources from its headquarters and bureaus nationwide.

“Starting in Langkawi, all Bernama personnel, including journalists, photographers, videographers and technical staff, alongside the Media Relations and Event Management (MREM) team, have been mobilised to cover the event and manage the media centre,” he said.

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Arul Rajoo said Bernama, in collaboration with Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) as the official broadcaster, would provide photographs and videos to other media organisations covering the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat to ensure widespread dissemination of the event.

As of Jan 9, Bernama MREM has received over 200 media coverage applications from local and international media, including representatives from Singapore, Japan, China, Vietnam and Kuwait.

Elaborating, Arul Rajoo said Bernama would also cover the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur and the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat in Johor next month.

Other significant events include the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) in Penang in May, the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and Post-Ministerial Conferences in Kuala Lumpur in July, another SOM in Negeri Sembilan and the much-anticipated 47th ASEAN Summit in the federal capital in October.

To enhance accessibility, Bernama has launched a dedicated microsite featuring ASEAN-related news, which has been operational since Sept 1.

“The microsite, asean.bernama.com, consolidates ASEAN-related reports by Bernama journalists, including correspondents based in Bangkok, Jakarta and Singapore,” he said.

Arul Rajoo further said that Bernama would leverage its partnerships with international news agencies such as the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) and other Southeast Asian networks to ensure comprehensive global coverage of ASEAN 2025.

He also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their support, trust and cooperation in helping Bernama fulfil its responsibilities.

On Oct 16 last year, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced Bernama’s appointment as the official media and coordinator for the International Media Centre for the ASEAN Summit 2025, while RTM was named the official broadcaster.

Established on Aug 30, 1967, Bernama has extensive experience as the official media for international events, including the 1998 Commonwealth Games, the 2001 SEA Games, ASEAN 2015 and the 2019 Kuala Lumpur Summit.

“Since its establishment, Bernama has recorded numerous historic moments for the nation. I’m confident we can successfully execute our role as the official media for ASEAN 2025, supported by our experienced and skilled workforce.

“We will provide comprehensive coverage through all Bernama platforms, including Bernama Wires, Bernama Photo, Bernama TV (Astro 502), Bernama Radio and Bernama Digital Media,” said Arul Rajoo, adding that Bernama has actively promoted Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship across its platform since Jan 2024.

Malaysia assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship on Jan 1, 2025 under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” reflecting its vision for a united and prosperous ASEAN.

Laos officially handed over the ASEAN Chairmanship to Malaysia on Oct 11 last year, during the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings in Vientiane.

This marks Malaysia’s fifth time as ASEAN Chair, having previously held the position in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.

Founded on Aug 8, 1967, ASEAN comprises 10 Southeast Asian nations, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, with Timor-Leste’s membership still in progress.

-- BERNAMA