15 local journalists exposed to Indonesia's democratic process courtesy of ISWAMI

KUALA LUMPUR : Fifteen journalists from various news agencies in Malaysia are participating in the Program Jejak Serumpun Ikatan Setiakawan Malaysia-Indonesia (ISWAMI) Malaysia in Jakarta from February 12 to February 21, 2024.

The educational visit was planned to expose Malaysian journalists to various dimensions and perspectives behind the dynamics of the 2024 Indonesian Presidential Election (PILPRES) 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, besides exposing the Malaysian journalists to the Indonesian democratic process, which is one of the largest in the world, the programme was also meant at fostering camaraderie with Indonesian journalists during HPN 2024.

"Other than that, the selected Malaysian journalists will also be exposed to the dynamism of green technology, sustainability, and the digital economy in the neighboring country.

"This brief but intensive knowledge expedition is also aimed ay promoting dialogues with those who exemplify Indonesia's greatness, such as players in the fintech industry, sustainable development sector, and their ability to popularize green technology.

In the increasingly challenging geopolitical landscape, Malaysian journalists should also be exposed to Track 2 diplomacy efforts by various non-governmental institutions and organisations in Indonesia that elevate the agenda of togetherness among ASEAN people and positive internationalism," said Ashwad.

Through this programme, sponsored by Berjaya Corporation Berhad, Green Growth Asia Foundation, and VFive Group, Malaysian journalists will participate in several series of visits and meetings with ISWAMI Indonesia led by its president, Asro Kamal Rokan.

Other than that, they will also hold meetings with Indonesian media leaders and important agencies to further strengthen the camaraderie between the two nations.

In addition to the 15 journalists, chief editors from Malaysia were also scheduled to join the ISWAMI delegation to the HPN 2024 program, an annual event that gathers more than 6,000 journalists from across Indonesia.

Traditionally, ISWAMI Malaysia is invited to attend HPN every year, held in different cities each year. However, the HPN celebration, usually on February 9 each year, was postponed to February 20 due to PILPRES 2024.

ISWAMI is a Malaysian-Indonesian journalist forum established in 2003 as a bridge between Malaysian and Indonesian media relations, playing a role in building prosperity for both countries.