Media practitioners start to ‘camp out’ at KLCC ahead of 46th ASEAN summit

KUALA LUMPUR — Local and international media practitioners have started to “camp out” at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit, which will begin on Thursday with meetings at the senior officials’ level.

Bernama’s observations today found that most media practitioners were there to collect accreditation cards and cover the visit of Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil to KLCC, where he was overseeing preparations for the summit.

Among the facilities provided at the International Media Centre (IMC) located in Hall 1, KLCC, are workstations equipped with power outlets, internet services, hotel-standard food and beverages, and relevant information from the ASEAN Media Secretariat.

One of the journalists interviewed, Natasha Busst from Free Malaysia Today (FMT), said that the facilities at the IMC meet the needs of media practitioners to carry out their duties effectively.

“In my opinion, the most important thing is electrical plug points to keep our devices running, and of course, good internet connection.

“From what I see, the number of workstations provided is a lot, hope it can be enough to accommodate the media personnel covering the summit.

“Another crucial aspect will be food and coffee, because we just wanted to focus completely on work when here (without worrying where to get meals),” said Natasha who has two years of experience in journalism.

Meanwhile, experienced journalist Norman Goh from Nikkei Asia said that for now, the registration process and arrangements at the IMC are running smoothly.

“We expect this place to be packed with activities during the summit, but so far it has been very smooth. It’s exciting to have massage chairs to rest and rejuvenate during tiring days,” he said.

Goh, who has over 10 years of experience covering for local and international media, stated that the ASEAN Summit also serves as a platform to showcase Malaysian culture to the world, in addition to high-level meetings related to economic and regional cooperation.

Fahmi told a press conference that, so far, over 1,200 media registrations have been received, including 500 international media, to cover this ASEAN Summit.

As the ASEAN Chair, Malaysia will host the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. In conjunction with the conference, two high-level meetings are also scheduled: the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, which will be important platforms for strengthening regional and inter-regional cooperation.

The 46th ASEAN Summit will begin this Thursday with meetings at the senior officials’ level, followed by ministerial-level meetings on May 25, while meetings for heads of government will commence on May 26.

Malaysia assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship on January 1, 2025, from Laos, with the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” reflecting the nation’s aspirations to shape an united and prosperous ASEAN.

This is Malaysia’s fifth time holding the ASEAN Chairmanship after 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015.

ASEAN, founded on August 8, 1967, currently comprises 10 Southeast Asian countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, while Timor-Leste’s entry as a member state is still in process. — BERNAMA