KUALA LUMPUR: Fielding "tough" questions from journalists in a live mock press conference was what those from the Armed Forces' National Resilience College (NRC) experienced during a study visit to Media Prima Bhd's Sri Pentas today.
The senior Armed Forces officers, holding the ranks of colonel and brigadier general, were grilled on security issues regarding the encroachment of the nation's waters and borders, controversial procurement of military assets to the recent Malaysia and North Korea conflict.
The half-day programme, which included a visit to Studio A (television news), Studio B (Malaysia Hari Ini and Wanita Hari Ini) as well as the Ripple radio conti was to give an insight into the media world.
NRC commandant Major General Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar said the study visit was an eye opener for the course members on how the media works and to foster ties with journalists.
"This can boost their confidence because as they progress in their career, they will face the media, thus must know how to handle questions from them.
"They have gained useful tips on what to anticipate and how to answer questions. We have learnt and understood the responsibilities of the media and ours, too.
"We can also work together towards carrying out the national agenda where we believe the media can play their role as a catalyst," he said.
Also present were NRC senior directing staff (Army) Brigadier General Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng, Royal Malaysian Navy senior directing staff First Admiral Shahriman Mahmud, Royal Malaysian Air Force senior directing staff Brigadier General Amer Mahmud and NRC head of academics Major General (R) Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohd Yusuff.
The Putrajaya based NRC, which was set up in 2019, is the first and most senior college of the Armed Forces with the aim to spur grand strategic thinking, emerge as an option as a think tank group to realise the goals of the government and plan future policies.
Nizam said course members, comprising those with Masters and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree holders, were selected from each of the Armed Forces' services and would undergo a 50-week course.
NRC's visit to Sri Pentas was a reciprocal visit after MPB group chairman Datuk Dr Syed Hussian Aljunid gave a briefing at the NRC on March 22 to introduce Media Prima and its role in the national security agenda.
MPB group managing director Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood said they were happy to host the delegation which he described as the cream of the crop and the future top leaders of the Armed Forces.
"I hope that the existing cooperation between us and the Armed Forces, especially the NRC, will continue. We hope the programme will benefit both parties," he said.