HAWANA 2026 Preparations On Track, Backed By State Cooperation

BUTTERWORTH, May 18 (Bernama) -- Preparations for the 2026 National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) celebration, set to be held on June 20 at the PICCA@Arena Butterworth Convention Centre here, are progressing smoothly and have been strengthened through collaboration between the Communications Ministry and the Penang state government.

Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (Strategic Communications and Creative Industry) Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil said the ministry appreciates the state government’s readiness to host the 2026 HAWANA celebration and its commitment to ensuring the event’s smooth preparations.

“The highlight of the 2026 HAWANA celebration in Penang will feature three main events: a media dinner with Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib on June 19, the HAWANA 2026 main event on June 20, and Mai Riuh@HAWANA, which will run from June 19 to 21.

“A key highlight of this year’s HAWANA is the special invitation extended to information and communications ministers from ASEAN countries to attend the 2026 celebrations,” she said.

She said this while co-chairing the HAWANA 2026 Main Committee meeting with Penang deputy state secretary (Management) Muhamad Ghopran Yeop Hamzah at the PICCA@Arena Butterworth Convention Centre here today.

Also present were Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) deputy editor-in-chief (News Service) Mohd Shukri Ishak, who also serves as HAWANA 2026 project director, Bernama Head of Management Services and Finance Department Sharifah Zaini Syed Zain and Head of Corporate Affairs Mariati Mohd Arif.

Bahria said MyCreative Ventures’ involvement in the Mai Riuh@HAWANA programme will promote community inclusivity through Rahmah sales and the participation of vendors from among small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Meanwhile, Muhamad Ghopran said the state government appreciates the trust placed in Penang and is committed to giving full cooperation and support to ensure the successful hosting of HAWANA 2026.

“The state government also welcomes the organisation of Mai Riuh@HAWANA, which not only provides business opportunities for participating vendors but also helps boost the economy in Penang,” he said.

Earlier, Mohd Shukri presented details on the organisation of HAWANA 2026, and the one-hour meeting also covered strategic cooperation between the state government and the relevant ministries, departments and agencies.

HAWANA 2026 will carry the theme “Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility” to empower media practitioners’ role in national development, with the main ceremony to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in recognition of their service and contributions.

HAWANA, the largest gathering of Malaysian media practitioners, is organised by the Communications Ministry with Bernama as the implementing agency.

-- BERNAMA