Malaysia Star
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Government would also consider a request by the Somalian government for Malaysia to assist and play a role in rebuilding the conflict-torn African nation.
At the same time, Somalia has assured Malaysia that it would take the necessary steps to “protect our brothers from Malaysia who are there to assist us and provide relief to our people,” said Somali Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed Ibrahim during a meeting with Najib at the PM’s office in Parliament House yesterday.
Mohamed was in Kaula Lumpur to extend his government’s condolences and regret over the shooting incident which killed BernamaTV cameraman Noramfaizul Mohd Nor.
“We deeply regret what happened.”
Noramfaizul, 39, was hit by a stray bullet while travelling in a truck to Mogadishu’s commercial centre to send recordings of the Malaysian aid mission there. TV3 cameraman Aji Saregar Mazlan was also injured in the incident.
In Parliament, Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Maglin Dennis D’ Cruz said the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) had come up with a handbook to ensure the safety of journalists assigned to war zones and conflict areas.
He said the ministry would contribute and update the guidelines.
“The book will serve as a guideline for media personnel who are sent to cover assignments in dangerous zones,” he told M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat).
D’ Cruz said media practitioners would be provided with military-style training. “On the other hand, media organisations must provide bullet-proof attire, protective helmet, safety vest, gas mask and camp paraphernalia for their reporters and photographers,” he told Datuk Mohd Jidin Shafee (BN-Setiu).
On another matter, D’Cruz said the Government had not made any decision on the proposed media consultative council following strong protests from local media agencies.
The Government had earlier said it would set up the council to harmonise relations between the media and the Government.