By Massita Ahmad
Bernama is a primary source of information for both Malaysia and Singapore in terms of bilateral activities, says Acting Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore, Nur Azman Abdul Rahim.
Bernama, the only Malaysian media operating in the republic, established its office in Singapore in 1982 under the government-to-government arrangement.
The news agency has observed that bilateral activities between the two neighbouring countries have been more vibrant under the leadership of Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Najib had once described relations between Singapore and Malaysia as “have never been better in our countries’ histories”.
“Both the Malaysian High Commission and the Malaysian National News Agency have been working very closely,” said Nur Azman in an interview with Bernama in conjunction with its 50th anniversary this month.
“In fact, we have always considered Bernama as part of our family in Singapore,” he said.
Covering a range of segments in Singapore, a major highlight of Bernama’s presence there was an opportunity to interview Prime Minister Lee by Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Azman Ujang on Nov 28, 2016.
The interview explored a wide range of topics that included Singapore without its founding father Lee Kuan Yew, foreign affairs, transport, infrastructure, safety and security, governance, and multiracial and multireligious society.
“For the past 30 years, we are very fortunate because we have such wonderful, highly professional and committed Bernama journalists in Singapore,” said Nur Azman.
Over the three decades, Bernama has stationed 10 Singapore correspondents, starting with Abd Karim Abd Shukor, Syed Imran Syed Ahmad, Ahmad Zukiman Zain, Tan Hock Guan, Tham Choi Ling, Salbiah Said, Jackson Sawatan, Datuk Zakaria Abd Wahab, and Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah.
Besides Singapore, Bernama which went into operation on May 20, 1968, has overseas offices in Jakarta and Bangkok.
“We hope that the friendship here will continue and wish Bernama all the best in its future endeavour,” said Nur Azman.
The highlight of the 50th anniversary celebration is the Bernama Golden Jubilee Appreciation Dinner at Dewan Perdana Felda in Kuala Lumpur on May 22.
It is scheduled to be attended by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Cabinet ministers, corporate leaders, media and non-media clients, as well as long-serving and new Bernama staff.
-- BERNAMA
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