ISWAMI To Focus On Strategic Cooperation To Tackle Current Challenges

KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 (Bernama) -- The Ikatan Setiakawan Malaysia-Indonesia (ISWAMI), a Malaysia-Indonesia journalist forum, will focus on strengthening strategic cooperation to ensure the dissemination of accurate and responsible information, with the aim of deepening mutual understanding between Malaysians and Indonesians.

ISWAMI Malaysia president Ashwad Ismail said that the cooperation between ISWAMI Malaysia and Indonesia, established in 2005 as a bridge to strengthen media relations between the two countries, must now take into account current challenges, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI).

“In this era of uncertainty and a divided world, coupled with the wave of artificial intelligence (AI) that is impacting all aspects of society and national life, the media, as originators of ideas and nation-builders, must take on a more proactive role in addressing challenges and promoting regional prosperity,” he said in a statement today.

He said this in response to a meeting between Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Indonesian Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Viada Hafid in Tokyo, where both parties highlighted ISWAMI’s vital role in strengthening media relations between the two countries.

In this regard, Ashwad said ISWAMI Malaysia will hold follow-up discussions with Indonesian media partners to draft a joint action plan that includes journalist exchanges, professional training programmes, and the organisation of regional media forums and dialogues.

He said this initiative aims to strengthen the media capacity of both countries by promoting media accountability through inclusive and solution-oriented journalism.

Ashwad added that in an era of digital challenges and the rapid, complex spread of information, close cooperation among media organisations is crucial to ensure the delivery of accurate and responsible information and to foster mutual understanding between the people.

He emphasised that, driven by the spirit of camaraderie, ISWAMI believes media professionals, journalists, and content creators can serve as vital agents in building shared prosperity between the societies of both countries.

“ISWAMI not only serves as a bridge to strengthen the network of professional journalists but also acts as a catalyst for fostering understanding and rapport among the people through more inclusive and forward-looking storytelling,” he said.

Meanwhile, ISWAMI Indonesia president Asro Kamal Rokan, in the same statement, welcomed the efforts to further enhance media cooperation between the two countries.

“The relationship between our leaders has always been very friendly, but at the community level, especially in today’s era of social media without territorial boundaries, the accuracy of information and verification has become crucial. ISWAMI continues to play an important role in exchanging and disseminating reliable information,” he said.

-- BERNAMA