Response from Wisma Putra

Ministry needs to verify info

WE noted a commentary that appeared in The Star on April 25, titled, "Media feeling frustrated with Foreign Ministry". We would like to clarify certain issues raised in the article.

The External Information Division is indeed a front-liner in terms of media relations for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The division is being expanded and strengthened so that we may cater to our clients more effectively.

However, the observation made in the article about a "difficulty to get an immediate response from Wisma Putra on many a news-breaking event" is misleading.

On any news-breaking event, we cannot afford to comment based on media reports alone. There is a need to be meticulous and circumspect before commenting on such events. The veracity of the information in the media reports have to be ascertained first so that we do not arrive at the wrong conclusions.

The comment made in the article, on how there has supposedly been too few arranged media briefings on the Government's stand, is incorrect.

Such events have in fact been conducted often, including special press briefings and special interviews for the media by the Minister of Foreign Affairs himself.

Both the present and previous ministers, we would like to note, have been highly forthcoming and accommodating to the media in all of the many events where the media have been invited.

On correcting the many misconceptions that have arisen about Malaysia in the "Western media", we would be the first to acknowledge a responsibility on the matter.

The writer should know better than to state that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is taking a "tidak apa" attitude on the matter. It is an unwarranted blanket statement that should not have come from such an experienced journalist.

We would like to point out that the whole Malaysian Cabinet ministers and other senior officials have stood up to defend the country's public image at every given opportunity.

While rebuttals and responses by the ministry and other related government agencies are necessary, it would be naive for the writer to imply that these alone can put a stop to "negative portrayals of Malaysia and its leaders" by the "Western media."

Given the entrenched biases of certain media outlets, the ministry is taking other proactive measures in order to get the Malaysian story right in the eyes of the world. These include an active engagement and outreach efforts with Malaysians and the global community.

This is a present priority for the ministry. But our efforts cannot succeed solo. It requires a team effort where all parties need to pull together, including the local media.

We acknowledge that forging a closer engagement with the media is an imperative. We welcome the opportunity to jointly strategise how we can move more closely in tandem in future.

ZAINAL ABIDIN BAKAR,

External Information Division,

Ministry of Foreign Affairs.