SHAH ALAM, 21 DECEMBER 2023 – The inaugural Siri Cakna Polisi, a pioneering effort by the Communication Management and Policy program of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, in collaboration with Perpustakaan Tun Abdul Razak (Tun Abdul Razak Library), successfully featured Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Haji Noor Hisham Abdullah, the esteemed former Director General of Health at the Ministry of Health Malaysia from 2013 to 2023. Renowned for his leadership during Malaysia’s critical battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Noor Hisham presented ‘Kronologi Satu Tahun Pertama COVID-19: Pengurusan Komunikasi dan Polisi’ (Chronology of the First Year of COVID-19: Communication and Policy Management) providing a comprehensive exploration of the challenges and triumphs faced during the initial stages of the global health crisis, including communication management and policy decisions pivotal in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, held at Ruang Bicara, Perpustakaan Tun Abdul Razak, drew a total of 130 attendees, marking a significant milestone in promoting awareness and understanding of policy issues.

Among the insights shared by Dr Noor Hisham about managing the pandemic was the significance of social media. During the event, he emphasised, “You cannot beat social media. You have to join social media.” Stressing its importance as a crucial platform for disseminating information, managing societal expectations, and building trust, Dr Noor Hisham noted, “Social media allows us to inform society about issues and obstacles that are happening and also, it allows us to manage society’s expectations towards the Ministry of Health and at the same time, build society’s expectations towards the Ministry of Health and, at the same time, build society’s trust towards the Ministry.”

Recognising the rapid exchange of information and the need for timely responses, Tan Sri added that during the first year of the pandemic, information was exchanged rapidly. He explained, “If we responded within 24 or 48 hours, it would mean the news would become outdated. Every day we need to use social media to inform what is right and what is wrong. But social media was not just to inform the society, but I too read the views and perceptions of society and issues that they had raised on social media. Once we understand what has been raised, we would also then give intervention and explanation about the issues. That is why it is important for us to listen.”

This perspective aligns with Tan Sri’s long-standing engagement with social media since 2013, emphasising its indispensable role in both sharing information with the public and understanding the views and perceptions of society. His insights underscored the dynamic nature of communication in addressing challenges during the pandemic and the vital role of social media in shaping public discourse.

Effective communication, as the cornerstone of disseminating ideas, thoughts, and knowledge, is crucial for fostering understanding among diverse audiences. The series delved into the various forms of communication, both traditional and digital, emphasising the importance of well-managed communication in averting crises that could impact public safety and financial stability.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world has been profound, ushering in complex changes that have reshaped our global dynamics. Amid these challenges, effective communication management has proven instrumental in implementing and sustaining critical policies. As society adapts to new norms, this event aims to shed light on how policies can evolve into cultural norms and integral aspects of daily life.

Also in attendance during the event were the Deputy Director of Hospital Al-Sultan Abdullah, Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Izuanuddin Ismail, and the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Associate Professor Dr Abd Rasid Abd Rahman.

Dr Ahmad highlighted the relevance of understanding the chronology of the first year of COVID-19, stating, “The current period is very coincidental because the outbreak of COVID-19 is still there and is constantly monitored by public health authorities, in particular, to prevent it from increasing again. Therefore, knowledge and general awareness about the chronology of the first year of the onset of COVID-19 is important to share.”

Dr Abd Rasid emphasised the event’s significance, stating, “Based on the experience and challenges we faced three years ago, the Faculty through the Communication Management and Policy program has taken this opportunity to organise the Siri Cakna Polisi with a special guest, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Haji Noor Hisham Abdullah who is the backbone of the country to plan policies to deal with COVID-19 starting from the endemic, epidemic and pandemic levels.”

The Siri Cakna Polisi, an initiative committed to promoting awareness and understanding of policy issues, kicked off with the distinguished Dr Noor Hisham, offering attendees an exclusive look into his experiences managing the unprecedented health crisis. Attendees gained valuable insights into the strategic decisions made, challenges faced, and lessons learned during this critical period.