Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA) - Malaysian and Indonesian media were able to work together to develop at the regional level and compete with the big names, the new President of the Indonesian Malaysian Journalists Association (ISWAMI), Abdul Rashid Yusof said. The New Straits Times Group reporter stated this during his speech after being elected president of ISWAMI for the period 2019 - 2021 at the ISWAMI National Conference at the Bernama News Agency.

The collaboration offered a synergy for the two countries in one media that offered various advantages for ease of investment, Yusof said.

"This can be in the form of newspapers or news magazines, analysis, typical reports covering the fields of economics, commerce, education, tourism, medicine and health," he said.

ISWAMI itself has prepared a strong platform for pioneering this collaboration which will provide immense benefits to both countries, he emphasized.

Abdul Rashid was elected president of ISWAMI replacing Datuk Zulkefli Salleh, former president director of Bernama whose term of office ended.

Iswami, which is a collection of Malaysian and Indonesian journalists in a cognate agreement is a manifestation of unlimited journalism towards strengthening bilateral relations, Rashid said.

"Now is the time for this role to be increased for shared economic benefits when relations between the people and the top leadership are at the most familiar stage," he said.

The rejuvenation of ISWAMI for the future should also involve groups of young journalists and journalism students in addition to the groups of leaders and executive editors, he said.

He thanked Zulkefli for his contribution while leading ISWAMI and for the efficient conduct of various activities.

In his speech, Zulkefli hoped that ISWAMI would always be aware of the role it needed to play in perpetuating the good relations of all Malaysian and Indonesian allies.

In the election, Datuk Zulkefli Hamzah (Utusan Malaysia) continued in his position as vice-president, while Datuk Jalil Ali (Sinar Harian) and Datuk Mokhtar Hussain (Bernama) were also named vice-presidents.

Mohamad Nasir Yusoff (Bernama) is the secretary general and Khaidir Majid (Berita Harian Group) is the treasurer.

Razman Abdullah (Bernama) was chosen deputy secretary, Ahmad Yani Abdul Manaf (Sinar Harian) was deputy treasurer, while Azeman Ariffin (Bernama) was appointed internal auditor, and ANTARA Bureau Chief in Kuala Lumpur Agus Setiawan was the Indonesian coordinator.

Zulkefli as the former president and Datuk Zakaria Abdul Wahab (former editor-in-chief of Bernama) along with former editorial manager were the Advisory Board members.



Translator: Agus Setiawan/Eliswan Azly
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2019