Media plays important role in reporting conflicts in national waters

Media practitioners play an important role in reporting and disseminating information to the public if any conflict occurs in national waters that threatens national security.

Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) chief, Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar said TLDM did not want incorrect information to be spread in the social media that could cause fear among the public.

"As such, the presence of media practitioners is most important in developing public confidence in the ability of TLDM in protecting national waters from foreign threat.

"This is because media practitioners are considered as strategic partners in channeling information and the tasks carried out by TLDM," he said.

He said this to reporters at a media conference in conjunction with TLDM Barbecue Day With the Media at the TLDM Ship Sri Gombak Base, at Jalan Padang Tembak, here.

Abdul Aziz said positive news reports concerning the TLDM could boost the credibility of the TLDM in the eyes of the public whether locally or abroad.

"In addition, the capability of TLDM in protecting the national waters would indirectly attract the interest of the young generation to join the navy," he added.

In another development, he said the TLDM needed six additional multipurpose vessels to maintain security in national waters.

"The lack of assets resulted in cross-boundary crime breaching our national waters, while additional assets would ensure that enforcement could be carried out effectively," he added. (Malaysia Gazette)