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KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 15 journalists from various Malaysian news agencies are participating in the Serumpun Trail Programme organised by the Malaysia-Indonesia Friendship Association (ISWAMI) Malaysia in Jakarta from February 12th to 21st, 2024.
The educational visit is designed to expose Malaysian journalists to various perspectives behind the dynamics of the Indonesian Presidential Election (PILPRES) 2024, on February 14, 2024, and the Indonesian National Press Day (HPN) 2024, which takes place on February 20, 2024, in Jakarta.
According to the President of ISWAMI Malaysia, Ashwad Ismail, apart from being exposed to the democratic process, one of the largest in the world, and fostering camaraderie with Indonesian journalists during HPN 2024, the selected Malaysian journalists will also be exposed to the dynamics of the green technology sector, sustainability, and digital economy in the neighboring country.
“This short but intensive knowledge expedition is not only about exposing ourselves to the democratic festivities but also about meeting and engaging in dialogue with those who reflect Indonesia’s greatness, such as players in the fintech digital economy industry, the sustainable development sector, and their ability to popularise green technology.
“In this increasingly challenging geopolitical landscape, Malaysian journalists must also be exposed to the ‘Track 2’ diplomatic efforts by various non-governmental institutes and organizations in Indonesia that promote unity among the people on the ASEAN and international stages,” said Ashwad.
Through the Jejak Serumpun Program sponsored by Berjaya Corporation Berhad, Green Growth Asia Foundation, and vFive Group, Malaysian journalists will participate in a series of visits and meetings with ISWAMI Indonesia, led by its president, Mr. Asro Kamal Rokan. They will also hold meetings with Indonesian media leaders and important agencies to further strengthen the unity between these two neighbouring countries.
In addition to the 15 journalists, Malaysian chief editors will also join the ISWAMI delegation to the HPN 2024 programme, an annual event that gathers over 6,000 journalists from all over Indonesia.
Traditionally, ISWAMI Malaysia is invited to attend HPN every year, which is held in different cities each year.
The HPN celebration is usually held on February 9th, but it has been postponed to February 20th due to the PILPRES 2024 event.
ISWAMI is a Malaysian-Indonesian journalist forum established in 2003 as a bridge to foster mutual prosperity between the media of both countries in the Nusantara region.
