MALAYSIA, BRUNEI TO EXCHANGE JOURNALISTS AND INFORMATION OFFICERS

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam will soon
exchange information officers and journalists in the effort to strengthen
bilateral ties in the field of information, Information, Communications and
Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim said Friday.

He said the cooperation was important for the mutual study of work cultures
and to foster better relations between officers.

"Brunei and Malaysia enjoy a very close relationship. Therefore, there is a
need for this direct exchange of writers, journalists and information officers.

"We hope this will generate a culture of cooperation and understanding,
especially through the writing of articles and in the way we administer our
respective information departments," he said.

Dr Rais was speaking to reporters after Brunei's Minister of Foreign Affairs
and Trade II Lim Jock Seng and Minister of Energy Datuk Seri Mohammad
Yasmin Umar called on him at his office at Angkasapuri, here. The two ministers
are on a two-day working visit to Kuala Lumpur beginning Friday.


On another matter, Dr Rais said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia
Commission (MCMC) was investigating claims that a social website user insulted
King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin following His Majesty's special
advice over the illegal rally planned for Saturday.

"We had cases which we handed to the public prosecutor but they were
rejected on the grounds that they did not meet requirements or were classified
under No Further Action.

"On this matter, we need to be thorough. I have requested the MCMC to do a
thorough job and not rush into preparing the prosecution notes," he said.

-- BERNAMA