Media to help security agencies reach out to community effectively

SEMPORNA: The media can help security agencies reach out to the community more effectively, said KD Sri Semporna commanding officer Capt Ahmad Nazree Abu Hassan of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).

He said collaboration with the media through news reports could highlight the role of security agencies in the community as well as attract youngsters to be the guardians of the future.

“The media is an intermediary agency that can convey information effectively to the public. Previously, nobody knew Paskal (Naval Special Forces), but now everyone thinks Paskal is awesome,” he said.

He told reporters this at the Security Agencies and Media Shooting Competition programme in conjunction with RMN’s 85th anniversary at KD Semporna-Paskal Second Unit here yesterday.

“Today’s programme, among others, was to forge closer ties between RMN and other agencies as well as to promote RMN to the public directly through the media,” he said, adding that he welcomed collaboration with the media towards creating closer ties.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Nazree said RMN’s anniversary was supposed to be celebrated on April 27, but was brought forward as the date clashed with the grand celebration of the Semporna Lepa Regatta in the district.

The regatta is an annual state event that pays homage to the lepa - a traditional single-mast sailing boat of the Bajau of Semporna.

Ahmad Nazree also recommended the participation of corporate bodies and the public sector in ensuring the programme’s success.

“I really hope that a corporate agency or party will be involved in RMN’s anniversary celebration here,” he said.

A total of 164 participants from various civil service agencies and eight media organisations, including Bernama, took part in the shooting competition today, with team Vat69 emerging as overall champion. - Bernama