Platform for two nations’ economic gain
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian and Indonesian press are capable of collaborating at the regional level and competing with the big names, especially in highlighting economic opportunities and attracting investments to both countries, said newly-elected Malaysia-Indonesia Journalist Friendship Alliance (ISWAMI) president Abdul Rashid Yusof.
Rashid said this would provide advantages to the countries as a single synergistic medium would boost investor convenience.
“It (the collaboration) can be in the form of a newspaper or news magazine, analyses, special reports on economy, business, education, tourism, medical treatment and health.
“ISWAMI has set up a platform to pave the way for this collaboration, which will be of benefit to both countries,” he said after ISWAMI’s annual general meeting at Wisma Bernama here yesterday.
Rashid, who is New Straits Times group editor, has been elected ISWAMI president for the 20192021 term, replacing former Bernama chief executive officer Datuk Zulkefli Salleh.
Rashid said ISWAMI, as an assembly of Malaysian and Indonesian journalists, was a manifestation of borderless journalism to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
“It is time for (ISWAMI’s) role to be enhanced for the mutual economic benefits of both countries as the relations between the people and the leaderships are very close,” he said.
Rashid said the rejuvenation of ISWAMI would have to involve young journalists and journalism students, as well as chief editors and senior editors.
He thanked Zulkefli for his contributions when helming ISWAMI.
Zulkefli said he hoped ISWAMI would continue to be aware of its role in maintaining the close relations between Malaysia and Indonesia.