PETALING JAYA: For the first time, holders of Accredited in Public Relations (APR) certification from the Institute of Public Relations Malaysia (IPRM) will have the opportunity to conduct training and coaching programmes in several Asean countries.
IPRM president Jaffri Amin Osman said the recipients would conduct the programmes in countries including Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines to share their expertise and strengthen the public relations profession beyond Malaysia.
He said the recognition would enhance professional standards, strengthen strategic communication expertise and elevate Malaysia's public relations industry to greater heights.
"This year, we received 37 applications from various sectors, including government agencies, universities, private companies and government-linked companies (GLCs).
"Of these, 34 individuals successfully passed the final assessment, which involved interviews with a panel of senior industry practitioners," he said at the presentation ceremony for the IPRM APR 2026 Awards here on Thursday (Nov 5).
Public Relations and Communication Excellence Awards for the IPRM Student Association were also presented.
Six officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) Strategic Communications Division (BKS), led by its director Hisyam Mohd Yusoff, received APR accreditation.
The other recipients were BKS deputy director Badrila Jamlus, Multimedia Branch head Azrai Mohammad, Mohd Helmi Faiz Ali, Rama Maheswaran and Ganesh Ramajeyan.
All six fulfilled the accreditation requirements, including completing and passing a case study or public relations research publication, attending an interview session and submitting the required documentation.
Information Department director-general Erwin Khairul Ahmad said IPRM had played an important role in strengthening the public relations profession in Malaysia since its establishment in 1962.
He said communication remained a relevant and essential profession, particularly in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), despite the growing challenges posed by technological advancements.
"Although AI can generate text and prepare drafts quickly, it does not possess core elements such as empathy and integrity, which are essential in professional communication.
"The profession will continue to require the human touch in managing strategic communications, particularly on social media, in a more meaningful, ethical and effective manner," he said.
Hisyam said the accreditation was a recognition of the capabilities and expertise of BKS officers in particular, as well as the MACC as a whole.
He said the achievement would serve as a catalyst for the recipients to continue contributing not only to the MACC but also to the country's public relations profession.
Also present were IPRM Accreditation Board chairman Prof Datuk Seri Dr Syed Arabi Syed Abdullah Idid, Malaysian Communication Educators Association president Prof Dr Mohd Yahya Mohamed Ariffin and former IPRM president Datuk Seri Ibrahim Abdul Rahman.
