JAKARTA: Malaysian media executives, editors, and journalists arrived in Jakarta on Monday to participate in Indonesia's annual National Press Day (Hari Pers Nasional - HPN) today.
They, along with leaders of the Ikatan Setiakwan Wartawan Malaysia-Indonesia (Iswami), have been specially invited to join the annual event.
President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo is expected to attend the event, which will bring together over 6,000 journalists from across Indonesia.
Among the prominent Malaysian media leaders joining the 15 Malaysian journalists for HPN are Iswami president and Astro Awani editor-in-chief Ashwad Ismail; Iswami deputy president and News Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Bhd group managing editor Datuk Ahmad Zaini Kamaruzzaman; Bernama chief editor and acting chief executive officer Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin; Iswami vice president 1 Nur Hanim Mohd Muhili; Iswami vice president 2 and Media Prima Bhd News and Current Affairs group editor Kamaruddin Mape; and Iswami secretary-general and Bernama broadcasting chief (TV and Radio) Mohd Shukri Ishak.
Other participants include Iswami council member and Utusan TV chief editor Datuk Zulkefli Hamzah; Suara Sarawak chief executive officer Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir; Malaysian Nanban chief executive Datuk Shafee Zaman Sikandar Batcha; Sinar Harian chief editor Zamri Ramli; Suara TV chief editor Abd Jalil Aboo Backer; and The Edge deputy editor Mohd Kamarul Azhar Mohamad Azmi.
The Malaysian media executives, journalists, and senior Iswami leaders from Indonesia were treated to a dinner at Ancol, here, last night.
Also present was Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Syed Md Hasrin Tengku Hussin.
In his speech, Syed Md Hasrin said the relationship between Malaysian and Indonesian journalists serves as a bridge to resolve any issues between the two countries.
He also highlighted the shared interests between Malaysia and Indonesia at the international level, including pertaining issues related to the Rohingya community, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Palestine.
Meanwhile, Ashwad said strong media ties between Malaysia and Indonesia can contribute to influencing and fostering positive discussions within the region.
He said the media fraternity in both nations can focus on the similar cultures, apart from building shared regional prosperity.
"We hope that after this (event), even more journalists can be exposed to this and the strengths that we can learn from Indonesia.
"With our strong ties, we hope that we can influence and create more positive discussions," he added.