OVER 1,200 LOCAL, FOREIGN MEDIA PERSONNEL TO COVER 46TH ASEAN SUMMIT – FAHMI

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- Over 1,200 media personnel, including over 500 from international news agencies, have registered to cover the 46th ASEAN Summit scheduled to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on May 26 and 27.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the figure reflects the strong interest from global media agencies in this summit, which will be chaired by Malaysia.

“This is a high number of registrations, showing that the summit is highly anticipated and will be covered by a wide range of media from various countries.

“Registrations for foreign journalists have already exceeded 500, and we expect the number to increase in the coming days. I also hope journalists will take the opportunity to build stronger ties with peers from other media organisations,” he said at his weekly press conference at KLCC today.

Earlier, Fahmi, who is also the spokesman for the MADANI Government, conducted a site visit to the International Media Centre (IMC) in preparation for the summit.

As the chair and host of ASEAN 2025, Malaysia will host the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits next Monday and Tuesday. 

In conjunction with the summit, two key high-level meetings - the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit will also take place, marking an important platform for expanded regional and inter-regional cooperation.

To ensure smooth media operations, Fahmi said several facilities have been put in place, including three large-sized “5G in a box” units and 26 smaller units provided by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), installed at strategic locations to ensure strong internet connectivity throughout the event.

“So far, I’ve observed that 5G mobile usage is delivering excellent internet speeds, with some areas recording between 300 and 600 Mbps, and nearly 1 Gbps at the media centre. This reflects solid preparation,” he said.

Fahmi said the initiative demonstrates the government's commitment to providing the best possible facilities for both local and international media throughout the summit.

Meanwhile, Fahmi said ASEAN 2025 represents the best opportunity for Malaysia to showcase itself as a neutral nation, ready to engage in trade and foster good relations with other countries.

In conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship, he said the country also has the opportunity to demonstrate its excellence as host in leading discussions on regional and international issues.

“Malaysia is a neutral country. We want to trade and build relationships with all countries that are willing to do the same with us. We will be friends with those who want to be friends with us.

“I firmly believe that Malaysia’s management and participation in the ASEAN Summit will prove that our country is not only capable of hosting high-level international events but also of playing a crucial role in steering regional issues,” he said. 

Fahmi also reminded the public to refer to official and credible news sources for updates on the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, to prevent the spread of misinformation.

“Use verified sources such as Bernama and RTM, as well as other reliable mainstream media. Do not be easily deceived by unverified information from social media,” he said.

-- BERNAMA