Malaysia will be celebrating the first Malaysian Social Media Week (MSMW) next year from Feb 13 to 17, which will also be held simultaneously with several other main cities around the world, said Information Department Director-General Ibrahim Abdul Rahman.
He said the programme to be held at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) and several other locations in the capital city aimed to foster closer relationships between social media practitioners and tackle youth issues so that the social media were used more positively.
The programme is organised by Social Media Chambers, an organisation which advocates the disciplined and ethical use of social media, with the support of the Information, Communication and Culture Ministry.
“The ministry will continue to support such programmes as it involves the creative industry led by the ministry.
“We want more youths to come up with material for the cyber media and other media forms by providing funds to widen the industry in Malaysia,” he told reporters during a briefing on the 2012 MSMW, today.
Ibrahim said several events would be held throughout the week, with the 2012 International Social Media and Bloggers Assembly as the highlight showcasing elite social media practitioners and specialists from around the world.
The 2012 International Social Media and Bloggers Award Ceremony will also be held to promote the world’s best bloggers and social media activists nominated for their excellence in the social media arena.
“These awards will recognise and boost the spirit of social media practitioners because our objective is to encourage its positive use, so it’s necessary to recognise several people,” he added.
Ibrahim said those interested in carrying out the programme in their respective states were encouraged to do so and organisers welcomed suggestions for improvements.
Meanwhile, Social Media Chambers Chief Shahul Hameed said among those taking part in the MSMW were chief executive officers, corporate and industry players, journalists and online media writers, bloggers, corporate communication managers, university students, information technology specialists, politicians and government agencies.
“The MSMW is expected to link hundreds of thousands of social media users in the country and abroad. It is also hoped to create new interactive ideas, increase knowledge and share a global network with social media practitioners,” he said.
Those interested in joining the programme can visit the website www.socialmediaweek.com.my for more information.
– Bernama
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