MEDIA RELATIONS CAN HELP BRIDGE MALAYSIA-INDONESIA MISUNDERSTANDING

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- Media relations can help bridge
misunderstanding between Malaysia and Indonesia for the benefit of both
countries, said Association of Malaysian and Indonesian Journalists (Iswami) deputy
chairman Chamil Wariya.

He said the ties could be fostered through forums, seminars and dialogues with
the participation of journalists from both countries.

As such, he said, the Maybank Economic Seminar 2010 (Semi'10) in Bandung,
Indonesia on Jan 28 would be a step in the right direction.

"It will be an informal interaction in which reporters from both countries could
share their views with the speakers, including singer and entrepreneur Siti
Nurhaliza Tarudin," he told reporters at the Semi'10 sponsorship ceremony at the
Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) here Sunday.

The forum was originally scheduled to be held in December but was postponed due
to the Merapi Mount eruption.

Chamil, who is also MPI chief executive officer, said Semi'10 would focus on
finding ways to forge closer economic ties between Malaysia and Indonesia to
help entrepreneurs of both countries market their products.

About 400 participants, including 100 reporters and 300 entrepreneurs from both
countries are expected to attend the seminar which will focus on opportunities
in the cosmetics, fashions, including Muslim fashion, herbal and halal products,
handicrafts, women's accessories, and health and beauty spa sectors.

Scheduled to be opened jointly by Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah
and Indonesian State Minister for Women and Child Protection Linda Agum Gumelar,
participants would also be enlightened on the Malaysian and Indonesian domestic
taxes and customs duties.

Siti Nurhaliza is also expected to give a performance at the award-giving
ceremony of the seminar.

Also present at the news conference were Indonesian Embassy economic adviser
Widyarka Ryananta and Bernama Editor, Training Coordinator Mohamad Nasir Yusoff.
--BERNAMA