PUTRAJAYA, March 8 – The Malaysian Department of Information (JaPen) has announced updated validity periods for Media Accreditation Cards (MAC) following a review of its policies. Effective immediately, the revised validity periods aim to streamline the accreditation process and ensure the authenticity and reliability of media practitioners in Malaysia.
Under the new guidelines, the validity period for Government Official Media Practitioners, Local Media (including Online Media), and Malaysian International Media Practitioners has been extended to two years, from the previous one-year term. Additionally, media practitioners with annual contracts with media organizations will now have a one-year validity period. Meanwhile, international media practitioners not of Malaysian nationality will have a one-year validity period, except for those on long-term visits, who will also be issued a one-year validity MAC.
New Online Media practitioners will be granted a six-month validity period, ensuring their operational activity, authenticity, and prevention of disinformation dissemination before transitioning to the standard validity periods. The updated validity periods come into effect immediately, with existing MAC holders advised to renew upon expiry. All new media agency registrations and other MAC applications will adhere to the new validity periods outlined above.
