Programme participants join with Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a photo at the CNN Indonesia office in Jakarta.     --Photo Abi

Asean journalists boost ties through visit to Indonesia

The Journalist Friends Of Indonesia (JFOI) has brought journalists from Asean countries closer and taught them more about Indonesia through a programme organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.
The visit to Indonesia took place from September 12 to 18, when media personnel from Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines, Timor Leste, and Laos toured Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Bali.
All of the participants had a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Indonesia’s economic development, government, culture, tourism and other aspects of the country, as well as having the chance to visit many places of interest.
The group visited important government entities, historical sites, and tourist attractions in the three provinces, learning more about the country’s system of governance by meeting officials at ministry offices, the Asean Secretariat office, and leading media agencies.
As Islam is the main religion in Indonesia, JFOI opened a window of understanding among participants about the good relationship between mosques and churches in Jakarta and the work of the Muhammadiyah Centre Board that supports education for children of any religion in many countries.
One of the participants from Channel News Asia, Singapore, Mr Leong Wai Kit said “Indonesia has made a brilliant move because it’s taken the initiative to cultivate journalists and, at the same time, given us an opportunity to meet various stakeholders through this trip.”
“This programme builds strong networks as well as cultivating deep contextual knowledge and has given me those two things. I met newsmakers in Indonesia and exchanged views with them. JFOI has built a bridge for me to reach out to these newsmakers,” he added.
He said JFOI had opened a door for him and introduced Indonesia in the most engaging manner, while the visits to mosques and historical places gave him an extra dimension that added meaning and value to his understanding of Indonesia.
All participants agreed that the best part of the programme was that it helped to foster closer ties with their peers and colleagues in the region.

By Souksamai Boulom
(Latest Update October 4, 2022)