BUTTERWORTH, JUNE 20 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil intends to increase media cooperation with Timor-Leste through its agencies including the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and Radio Television Malaysia (RTM).
The desire was conveyed through a joint meeting with the Timor-Leste delegation, led by the Secretary of State for Social Communications of Timor-Leste, Expedito Loro Dias Ximenes accompanied by the President of the Timor-Leste news agency, Agência Noticiosa de Timor-Leste (TATOLI) Noémio Mateus Soares Falcão and his Deputy Madalena DE JCP Carlos.
“My colleagues and I hope that on several matters relating to Bernama and RTM, together with our counterpart agencies in Timor Leste, their relationship can be improved.”
“I also proposed that the Tun Abdul Razak Institute of Broadcasting and Information (IPPTAR) host a training session for journalists from Timor-Leste,” he told the media after the meeting.
During the meeting, Fahmi and his counterpart Ximenes also exchanged views on Timor-Leste’s position in the World Press Freedom Index, issued by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which is the highest in Southeast Asia and 30th out of 180 countries.
“I also expressed my views on how Timor-Leste can be ranked very high on the RSF index, Timor-Leste is ranked number one in Southeast Asia, while Malaysia is ranked second,” he said.
Fahmi said the Madani Government is also increasing efforts, policies and initiatives to improve the position.
“Although for the MADANI Government in the last three or four years, Malaysia’s position is much better than in the years before the MADANI Government, we see that there is room for us to improve our efforts, policies, and initiatives to improve the RSF Media Freedom Index,” he said.
Also present at the meeting were Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, Communications Ministry Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, RTM Broadcasting Director-General Ashwad Ismail and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.
The Timor-Leste delegation is in Malaysia in conjunction with the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2026 culminating ceremony, which was held at the PICCA@Arena Butterworth Convention Centre here today.
The sixth edition of HAWANA, bringing together approximately 1,000 local and foreign media practitioners under the theme “Media with Integrity, Credibility at its Core”, is scheduled to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at 3pm this afternoon.
At the HAWANA 2026 Summit, Bernama and TATOLI are also expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen media cooperation between the two ASEAN member countries.
— BERNAMA
