KUALA LUMPUR: The establishment of the Crime Journalists Association (CiJA) paves the way for more structured cooperation between the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and crime desk media practitioners.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki welcomed the formation of CiJA and encouraged its members to explore investigative journalism.
“The MACC is prepared to provide training on investigative procedures, basic criminal investigation techniques, fundamental criminal law and interview techniques as an exposure for journalists who wish to venture into investigative reporting,” he said, commenting on the successful inaugural CiJA annual general meeting (AGM) held on Friday (Dec 5).
Azam added that a better understanding of these areas will enhance journalists’ ability to uncover criminal issues and provide accurate information to the public, ultimately benefiting society with more reliable and responsible reporting.
MACC Strategic Communications Division director Hisyam Mohd Yusoff said the commission sees CiJA as a catalyst for improving reporting accuracy while protecting the sensitivity of ongoing operations, since crime journalists are among those who most frequently cover anti-graft matters.
“Through collaboration on this platform, the dissemination of anti-corruption information can be carried out more accurately, swiftly and professionally.
“At the same time, CiJA can help ensure that messages on corruption prevention, crime trends and current modus operandi are communicated to the public more effectively,” he said.
Hisyam added that MACC is also open to providing additional training for journalists, covering ethics, legal aspects and understanding of the MACC Act 2009, to further strengthen professionalism among crime reporters.
He also congratulated CiJA’s newly elected leadership: Safeek Affendy Razali (Berita Harian) as president, Hafidzul Hilmi (Harian Metro) and Maszureen Hadzman (Utusan Malaysia) as deputy presidents 1 and 2, Farik Zolkepli (The Star) as treasurer and Nuraina Hanis Abdul Halim (Utusan Malaysia) as secretary.