GEORGE TOWN, March 5 (Bernama) -- Top management of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) paid a courtesy call on Penang State Secretary Datuk Seri Zulkifli Long at his office here today ahead of the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2026 celebration slated to be held in the state in June.
The news agency’s delegation was led by its chief executive officer, Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and comprised deputy editor-in-chief (News Services) Mohd Shukri Ishak, head of Corporate Affairs Mariati Mohd Arif, and Penang Bureau chief R. Ratcharathan.
According to Nur-ul Afida, the courtesy call, which lasted 45 minutes, aimed to brief the state administration on preparations and programmes lined up for HAWANA’s main celebration in Penang.
“While sharing details of the planned activities, we also requested the state government’s cooperation to ensure smooth implementation of the programmes.
“Preparations for HAWANA 2026 have been underway since December, with the Bernama team intensifying efforts ahead of the main celebration,” she said.
Nur-ul Afida noted that the state government expressed its support and readiness to collaborate with the Ministry of Communications, through Bernama, as the executing agency.
She said HAWANA 2026 is expected to bring together media practitioners from across Malaysia as well as ASEAN media partners, and that it was hoped that this year’s celebration would be as vibrant as previous editions held in Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Ipoh, and Kuching, with the full support of the media fraternity.
Following the courtesy visit, the Bernama delegation also met with Yap Lee Ying, Director of Communications of the State Information Division and Press Secretary to the Chief Minister, to discuss cooperation in ensuring the smooth running of the event.
On Feb 27, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that HAWANA 2026 will be held in Penang and is expected to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
HAWANA, the largest gathering of media practitioners in Malaysia, serves as a key platform to recognise the contributions of journalists and strengthen the national media ecosystem.
-- BERNAMA
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