PUTRAJAYA, Nov 6 — Six officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) Strategic Communications Division (BKS) have received the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) award from the Institute of Public Relations Malaysia (IPRM).

The MACC said in a statement that all six recipients completed their accreditation requirements, which included passing and executing a public relations (PR) case study or research publication, attending an interview session, and completing documentation.

Among the recipients honoured at Menara Komunikasi here yesterday were BKS director Hisyam Mohd Yusoff, deputy director Badrila Jamlus, and Multimedia Branch head Azrai Mohammad.

Meanwhile, Information Department (JaPen) director-general Erwin Khairul Ahmad said in the same statement that the IPRM continues to play an important role in strengthening the public relations profession in Malaysia since its establishment in 1962.

“Careers in communication will not become obsolete and will endure, especially in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). Although the profession faces growing challenges in an AI-driven world, it still requires the human touch to manage communication strategically, particularly on social media, so that it is more meaningful, ethical, and effective.

“While AI is capable of generating text or drafting quickly, technology lacks core elements such as empathy and integrity, which are essential in professional communication,” he said.

IPRM president Jaffri Amin Osman said that for the first time, all IPRM APR recipients will be recognised to conduct training or coaching by public relations institutes across several Asean countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

He said the awards are expected to continue raising professional standards, strengthen strategic communications expertise, and elevate Malaysia’s public relations industry to greater heights. — Bernama