By Sarafina Christopher
The Malaysian Government has pledged to leverage feedback from foreign journalists to strengthen diplomatic communications.
Mr Zul Hamzah, Head of Corporate Communications, Malaysia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the pledge while playing host to 13 visiting foreign journalists from Africa, Asia and Europe.
Hamzah explained at the opening session of the event that participants’ feedback would help shape the country’s diplomatic and foreign policy communications across their respective countries and regions.
“The presentation that you will be doing on the final day, that is what we will use as one of the bases for our diplomatic or foreign policy communications within not just your country, but also specifically within your region,” he said.
He said the initiative reflected Malaysia’s evolving communication strategy aimed at improving how the country projects its image and engages foreign audiences respectfully.
According to him, the programme seeks not only to showcase Malaysia but also to obtain objective feedback on how the country is perceived internationally.
Hamzah said Malaysia’s foreign policy remained anchored on the principles of mutual benefit and non-interference, shaped by its post-colonial experience.
“Being a country that was colonised, you realise the horrors of it; therefore, you do not inflict it upon others,” he said.
He urged participants to assess whether Malaysia’s engagement approach was viewed as respectful and mutually beneficial in their respective countries.
According to him, such perspectives will help strengthen Malaysia’s diplomatic communication and international outreach in the years ahead.
Participants presenting their nation building ideas at the meeting.
The opening session also featured a group dynamics exercise facilitated by Mr Zikry Kholil, who engaged participants in simulations designed to build critical thinking, diplomatic negotiation and nation-building skills.
The 11-day programme, organised under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), is designed to provide participants with first-hand exposure to Malaysia’s governance, foreign policy, development initiatives and cultural heritage.
The initiative, which is under the auspices of the Malaysia Foreign Media Visitors’ Programme (MFMVP) drew participants from Nigeria, Russia, Ethiopia, Morocco, Algeria, Kenya, Uganda, Vietnam, Indonesia and Bhutan.(NAN)
Edited by Mark Longyen