Information, Communications And Culture Minister Of M'sia Hosts Luncheon For Foreign Media Reps

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Bernama) -- Information, Communications and Culture Minister of Malaysia Dr Rais Yatim on Monday hosted a luncheon for about 10 Malaysia-based foreign media correspondents. The informal get-together is a regular event organised by the ministry along with the Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC) of Malaysia. Present were the ministry's secretary-general Kamaruddin Siaraf, Bernama editor-in-chief Yong Soo Heong and Broadcasting director-general Norhyati Mohd Ismail. FCC president Romen Bose, when met by Bernama later, described the event as "very productive" as it helped to create a better understanding among the foreign media representatives on the government's perspectives with regard to certain issues. Bose said such a meeting opened up a channel of communication between both sides, especially when certain major issues cropped up in the country. "It's very important to engage the foreign media. For us, we find it very useful because we get to understand the government's thinking and, more importantly, we're able to work together in order to report on what's happening in Malaysia. "That means we're able to provide better coverage and give international viewers a better understanding of what's going on in Malaysia, not just from one side, but from all sides," he said. -- BERNAMA