JAKARTA: Indonesian President Joko Widodo spent some time mingling and taking photos with a group of Malaysian journalists who were specially invited for the 2024 National Press Day (HPN) in Ancol, here.
The Indonesian president, fondly known as Jokowi, attended the HPN with over 6,000 journalists in attendance from all over Indonesia.
HPN is celebrated annually on Feb 9, but it was postponed this year due to the Indonesian Presidential Elections, which was held on Feb 14.
The theme for this year's HPN is 'Managing the transition of national leadership and nurturing national integrity'.
In his speech, Jokowi touched on several issues concerning the media industry, including the importance of transparency in reporting news fairly and impartially, as well as the adaptation of the latest technology in the profession.
After the event, Malaysian media practitioners, including media executives and 15 journalists were given the opportunity to meet and take photographs with the Indonesian president.
The Malaysian media delegation comprised of prominent Malaysian media leaders, such as Ikatan Setiakawan Wartawan Malaysia-Indonesia (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.
Others 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; Utusan Borneo Sabah chief editor Datuk Lichong Angkui and The Edge deputy editor Mohd Kamarul Azhar Mohamad Azmi.
The 15 journalists from various Malaysian media organisations were part of Iswami's "Jejak Serumpun" 10-day study tour to Jakarta, in conjunction with the Presidential Elections.
Throughout the delegation's stay in Jakarta, the journalists made visits to several news organisations, namely the headquarters of Dana Indonesia, Antara News Agency, The Jakarta Post, Dewan Pers or the Press Council, the Indonesian Journalists Association, and the Communications and Informatics Ministry.
Iswami is a forum for Malaysian-Indonesian journalists that was established in 2003 as a bridge to forge and enhance media relations between Malaysia and Indonesia to play a role in building prosperity for both countries.