Tun Ramli Fetes Malaysian, ASEAN Media Practitioners At HAWANA 2026 In Penang

BUTTERWORTH, June 19 (Bernama) -- Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib tonight feted media practitioners from across the country and the ASEAN region at a dinner held in conjunction with National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2026, in appreciation of the media’s vital role in the nation’s development.

Held in a festive atmosphere, the state government dinner in conjunction with HAWANA 2026 brought together nearly 350 guests, including media practitioners, editors-in-chief, top executives of local and international media organisations, veteran journalists and state leaders, ahead of tomorrow's HAWANA 2026 main event.

Among those present were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Penang State Secretary Datuk Seri Zulkifli Long, Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, Timor-Leste Secretary of State for Social Communication Expedito Loro Dias Ximenes, and Communications Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Strategic Communications and Creative Industry) Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil.

Also in attendance were Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama Chief Executive Officer and HAWANA 2026 Working Committee Chairman Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Bernama Editor-in-Chief and HAWANA 2026 Working Committee Deputy Chairman Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, and Deputy Editor-in-Chief (News Service) and HAWANA 2026 Project Director Mohd Shukri Ishak.

The event was also attended by leaders of the country's major media organisations, including Media Prima Bhd Deputy Group Managing Editor (News and Current Affairs) and New Straits Times Group Editor Farrah Naz Karim, Sin Chew Daily Editor-in-Chief Chan Aun Kuang, Star Media Group Chief Content Officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng Sek Yee, Daily Express Sabah Chief Editor Datuk Sardahthisa James, and Astro Awani Editor-in-Chief Zaiful Mohd Ariffin.

Also among those feted were international media delegates from several ASEAN and Asian countries, including the President of Timor-Leste’s news agency, TATOLI Agencia Noticiosa de Timor-Leste (TATOLI), Noemio Mateus Soares Falcao; President of the Indonesia chapter of the Ikatan Setiakawan Malaysia-Indonesia (ISWAMI), Asro Kamal Rokan; and ANTARA Bureau Chief Rangga Pandu Asmara Jingga.

The presence of foreign delegates underscored HAWANA’s growing recognition as an important platform that connects media communities at both regional and international levels.

About 1,000 media practitioners, particularly journalists, including those from several ASEAN countries, have gathered in Penang beginning today to attend the HAWANA 2026 main event, which will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tomorrow at the PICCA Convention Centre @ Butterworth Arena near here.

Carrying the theme ‘Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility’, HAWANA 2026 is organised by the Communications Ministry, with Bernama as the implementing agency, in recognition of the contributions, dedication and professionalism of the country’s media practitioners.

In conjunction with the celebration, the three-day RIUH Pi HAWANA Carnival, which begins tonight at the PICCA Convention Centre @ Butterworth Arena, is expected to attract about 30,000 visitors.

The RIUH Pi HAWANA Carnival brings together more than 24 local creative product brands and 20 food and beverage vendors, while also featuring interactive workshops that offer the public opportunities to explore a variety of creative activities.

Visitors will also be treated to 16 stage performances featuring local artistes, including Exists, Bunkface, Masdo, Sakura Band, Budak Nakal Hujung Simpang and Chelsea Ng, with free admission.

-- BERNAMA