Malaysia's Communications Minister Proposes Reactivation of ASEAN Media Network

Kuala Lumpur — Malaysia’s Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has proposed reactivating a media network in the ASEAN region to amplify the interests of the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“I believe there was previously a news organisation network in ASEAN, but it may have been inactive for some time. I hope we can reactivate that network,” said Fahmi during an interview at the Kasih Ramadhan Programme in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Tuesday, 10 March.

Fahmi stated that Malaysia will host the National Journalists Day (Hawana) 2026 this year, which is similar to the National Press Day (HPN) observed in Indonesia.

He will invite Indonesia’s Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid as well as leaders of Malaysian and Indonesian media organisations affiliated with the Malaysian-Indonesian Journalists Fraternity Association (Iswami) to attend Hawana 2026.

Additionally, he will extend invitations to other ASEAN member states to attend Hawana, which is scheduled to take place in June 2026.

“I hope that through Hawana this year we can reactivate the media network for the benefit of ASEAN as a whole,” he said.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste.

Fahmi noted that ASEAN is a region with enormous potential, with approximately 660 million people with strong purchasing power as well as strategic trade and shipping routes.