Channel NewsAsia to launch satellite studio in Malaysia

Channel NewsAsia on Thursday (Sep 4) announced plans to expand its Kuala Lumpur bureau to operate a High Definition (HD) satellite studio.

This will boost the channel’s production capability in Malaysia and its 24-hour rolling news coverage of Asia, the regional broadcaster said. The studio will be directly connected to the channel’s headquarters in Singapore and take live interviews with guests in a studio environment.

Ms Debra Soon, Managing Director of Channel NewsAsia, noted that when the channel was launched 15 years ago, one of its first bureaus was established in Kuala Lumpur.

Speaking at the Channel NewsAsia Malaysia Business Insights forum in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, she said: “Singapore and Malaysia are strongly linked by history, kinship and friendship. The channel has made it a priority to report on developments in Malaysia first-hand, not just political and economic news, but also on its people, society and culture. Malaysia will play a significant role in the world’s fastest growing region, and we will play a role in helping the rest of the world understand Malaysia”.

The channel’s premier regional business forum saw government and corporate leaders gathered to discuss Malaysia’s role in the global economy, and the challenges facing companies as they head towards the vision of making Malaysia a developed economy. Delegates shared insights on the theme of “sustaining growth and development in Malaysia”, and the structural reforms being introduced to drive growth.

Senator Dato’ Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, who presented the keynote address, said “Malaysia is restructuring to evolve towards a high-income nation and create an economy that is more resilient, globally competitive and sustainable. Within this framework, the coming together of key policy makers and corporate leaders at Channel NewsAsia’s Malaysia Business Insights allows for keen dialogue and facilitates greater understanding by the private sector. This will enable closer and greater collaboration between the public and private sectors.”

Malaysia Business Insights is the latest in the leadership series hosted by Channel NewsAsia across Asia. The forums have travelled to Jakarta, Bangkok, Yangon, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, with the aim of establishing stronger linkages across Asia and promoting deeper understanding of the business climate and practices in the host countries. - CNA/es