KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is ready to provide training on investigative procedures and basic criminal investigation techniques to crime reporters.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said this after congratulating the Crime Journalist Association (CiJA) on holding its first annual general meeting (AGM) yesterday.
“Its members are encouraged to explore the field of investigative journalism.
“The MACC is prepared to provide training on investigative procedures, basic criminal investigation techniques, fundamental criminal law and interview techniques as exposure for journalists who wish to venture into investigative reporting.
“A better understanding of these areas will enhance their ability to uncover criminal issues and provide accurate information to the public, ultimately benefiting society through more reliable and responsible reporting,” he said today.
CiJA marked a major milestone with the successful hosting of its inaugural AGM and gala dinner at Saloma, Kuala Lumpur, last night — the first since the association’s establishment in 2023.
The event brought together more than 100 attendees, including 60 CiJA members and 40 special guests comprising veteran crime reporters and representatives from various enforcement agencies.
In his opening address, CiJA president Safeek Affendy Razali thanked members for their unwavering support in strengthening the young association.
He said the AGM was particularly significant as it formally dissolved the pro tem committee and marked the transition to the officially constituted executive committee, as required under the association’s constitution and the Registrar of Societies (ROS) regulations.
“This leadership transition is vital in strengthening the association’s direction and ensuring the welfare of members remains protected, while elevating crime journalists as a professional group playing a critical role in the nation’s safety and justice ecosystem,” he said.
The election of CiJA’s 2026/2027 executive committee saw Safeek of Berita Harian returned unopposed as president.
Hafidzul Hilmi of Harian Metro was elected deputy president I, while Maszureen Hadzman of Utusan Malaysia became deputy president II.
Utusan Malaysia journalist Nuraina Hanis Abd Halim won unopposed as secretary.
Safeek also announced the appointment of Mohd Farik Zolkepli of The Star as treasurer and Media Prima’s Ing Boon Seng as adviser, alongside a diverse line-up of committee members from multiple mainstream and multilingual media organisations.
Among those appointed were Austin Camoens (New Straits Times), Hafis Nawawi (Harian Metro), Azizah Mokhtar (Berita Harian), Ahmad Syabil (Bernama), Angeline Tio (Sin Chew Daily), R. Gopikrishna (Tamil Malar) and Ng Leng Choo (China Press).
The broad representation, Safeek said, reflects CiJA’s strength as an inclusive association that unites professionals across the crime reporting landscape.
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