58th AMM: Bernama Once Again Appointed As IMC Coordinator — CEO

KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) has once again been entrusted with the role of coordinating the International Media Centre (IMC), which will host over 1,000 media personnel during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings, beginning this Tuesday.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bernama, Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, said the agency was selected based on its prior experience coordinating the IMC for several past ASEAN meetings, including the 46th ASEAN Summit held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) in May.

"The experience is still fresh for us. I believe the Bernama team — comprising the Editorial Department, MREM (Media Relations and Event Management division), and other departments — is capable of carrying out this task successfully, based on our earlier experiences in Langkawi, Desaru, and KLCC in May.

“Alhamdulillah, this time we’ve been entrusted once again by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I also believe in the dedication and commitment of Bernama staff to ensure smooth coordination at the IMC,” she told Bernama after surveying the preparations at KLCC today.

She added that Bernama’s role in this assignment could further elevate the agency’s profile and widen its recognition among international media partners.

“God willing, because our involvement is not limited to coordination alone, we are also covering the events on our own platforms, including wire services, television, radio, digital media, and photography. All of this can help raise Bernama’s name through the content we produce,” she said.

The 58th AMM is expected to gather approximately 1,500 delegates which will be led by Foreign Ministers from ASEAN Member States, Timor-Leste, ASEAN Dialogue Partners, ASEAN Regional Forum participants, and ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partners.

Malaysia will also host the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD IV) on the sidelines of the 58th AMM. The meeting, to be co-chaired with Japan, will discuss initiatives and efforts to rebuild Gaza and Palestine.

Meanwhile, Head of the ASEAN 2025 Main Logistics Secretariat, Raja Saifful Ridzuwan, said all preparations are expected to be fully completed and reach 100 per cent readiness by midnight tonight, provided there are no disruptions or setbacks.

“Starting today, we’ll be testing all systems to ensure they are fully operational by next Monday. Right now, our focus is to ensure preparations reach full completion by tonight at the latest,” he told Bernama.

According to Raja Saifful, the logistics team — including the main committee and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) — have been on-site since last Wednesday and are fully prepared for operational duty.

-- BERNAMA