Malaysia Seeks Closer Media Cooperation With Timor-Leste - Fahmi
BUTTERWORTH, June 20 (Bernama) -- Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil is looking to strengthen media cooperation with Timor-Leste through agencies under his ministry, including the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).
The intention was conveyed during a meeting with a Timor-Leste delegation led by the country’s Secretary of State for Social Communication, Expedito Loro Dias Ximenes, accompanied by the president of Timor-Leste’s news agency, Agencia Noticiosa de Timor-Leste (TATOLI), Noemio Mateus Soares Falcao, and its deputy president, Madalena DE JCP Carlos.
“My counterpart and I hope to further enhance cooperation between Bernama and RTM and their counterparts in Timor-Leste.
“I have also proposed that the Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting and Information Institute (IPPTAR) host training sessions for journalists from Timor-Leste,” he told reporters after the meeting.
During the meeting, Fahmi and Ximenes also exchanged views on Timor-Leste’s standing in the World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), in which the country ranks highest in Southeast Asia and 30th out of 180 countries.
“I also shared my views on how Timor-Leste has managed to achieve such a high ranking in the RSF World Press Freedom Index. Timor-Leste is ranked first in Southeast Asia, while Malaysia is second,” he added.
Fahmi said the MADANI Government is continuing to strengthen efforts, policies and initiatives aimed at improving Malaysia’s standing in the index.
“Although Malaysia’s position has improved significantly over the past three to four years under the MADANI Government compared with previous administrations, we believe there is still room to enhance our efforts, policies and initiatives to climb higher in the RSF World Press Freedom Index,” he said.
Also present at the meeting were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, deputy secretary-general Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil, Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Broadcasting director-general Ashwad Ismail and Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.
The Timor-Leste delegation is in Malaysia for the HAWANA 2026 main event, which is being held at the PICCA Convention Centre @ Butterworth Arena here today.
The sixth edition of HAWANA has brought together about 1,000 local and foreign media practitioners under the theme ‘Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility’, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim scheduled to officiate the event at 3 pm.
-- BERNAMA
