KOTA KINABALU, May 20 (Bernama) -- After 44 years of operation and having
set up bureaus in several major cities across the world, the Malaysian National
News Agency (Bernama) has become one of the most distinguished news agencies in
Asia, said BIMP-EAGA Media and Communicators Association protem chairman Datuk
Joniston Bangkuai.
BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippine East ASEAN Growth
Area.
Bangkuai, who is also Sabah Journalists Association president, said with
offices in all states in Malaysia, Bernama was now capable of offering a very
wide news coverage, including in remote areas.
However, he hoped Bernama would enhance its services to match the global
demands and the borderless world.
"Although the number of Bernama staff in Sabah has increased, it is
insufficient as the size of the state is equivalent to several states in the
peninsula combined.
"The unique position of Sabah and Sarawak, which have numerous local
newspapers, requires the setting up of a mini-editorial unit in Kota Kinabalu to
ensure accurate and fast distribution of localised news," he said in a statement
here, in conjunction with Bernama''s 44th anniversary today.
Bangkuai, who had also served as Bernama reporter in the early 1980s, said
the agency should consider setting up a full-time Bernama TV unit in Sabah.
"Overall, Bernama office in Sabah should be commended for having succeeded
in distributing, not only comprehensive, but also fast and accurate news to the
people," he added.
-- BERNAMA
NT NHA GR