Kuala Lumpur: Efforts to formally establish the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) are currently underway, with an official announcement expected by the National Journalists Day (HAWANA) 2025 celebration on June 14. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil stated that the process will commence once the Malaysian Media Council Bill, passed by the Dewan Rakyat on February 26 and the Dewan Negara on March 19, receives the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's consent and is officially gazetted.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi explained that the process of officially establishing the Malaysian Media Council is anticipated to begin within the next few weeks. This will occur once the bill receives the necessary consent and is gazetted. The process will take some time due to administrative and financial considerations, which involve waiting for allocations from the Finance Ministry. Fahmi expressed hope for positive news about the MMC by HAWANA.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching and ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa were present during Fahmi's remarks. Additionally, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin attended the event.
Previously, Fahmi mentioned that the establishment of the MMC, approved by Parliament, is expected to begin functioning by mid-year. The council will serve as a self-regulatory body to safeguard media freedom and uphold journalistic ethics, empowering the media industry in Malaysia.
In his earlier speech, Fahmi emphasized that HAWANA 2025 is not just a celebration but a platform to strengthen the media ecosystem and acknowledge the vital role played by journalists. The event also aims to reinforce professionalism and responsible freedom of expression among media practitioners. A pre-launch for HAWANA is scheduled for June 3 at Wisma Bernama.
The highlight of HAWANA 2025 will occur on June 14 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the guest of honour. The event is expected to gather approximately 1,000 journalists from Malaysia and abroad.
Organised by the Communications Ministry with Bernama as the implementing agency, HAWANA 2025 will feature various activities, including a Pesta Pantun on May 31, a pre-launch event with strategic partners at Wisma Bernama on June 3, and a media forum jointly hosted with the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) on June 14.