KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia can bring regional media houses together for closer collaboration ahead of the country assuming the Asean chairmanship next year, says Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

“If we can create a more comprehensive network among regional media houses, it will foster an even closer relationship among the countries.

“I believe some efforts are already there and this can always be strengthened.

“Ahead of Malaysia’s chairmanship, I hope we can gather media organisations across the region to collaborate closely,” he told a press conference after attending the Asia News Network (ANN) 25th Anniversary celebrations here on Friday (Sept 6).

He added that RTM also has plans to dedicate a specific channel on Asean developments.

Malaysia is set to take the Asean chair from Laos at the grouping's summit in October.

Separately, Fahmi said Russia president Vladimir Putin’s personal invitation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to participate in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) intergovernmental organisation's upcoming summit was a positive development.

“Malaysia, as a non-aligned country, has the right to have diplomatic and economic relations with any country.

“The invite from President Putin to Malaysia is positive and we hope there will be returns,” he said.

Putin had extended the invitation during a recent bilateral meeting between the two leaders at Vladivostok, Russia, for the 9th Eastern Economic Forum.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/06/malaysia-can-play-key-role-in-bringing-asean-media-houses-together-says-fahmi