KUCHING: Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) officers underwent specialised training to strengthen their ability to manage digital narratives and social media crises.
The four-day Strategic and Digital Media Management Course, held at the Royal Malaysian Customs Academy (AKMAL) Sarawak Branch from August 3 to 6, featured a digital narrative control simulation involving more than 30 officers of various ranks from JKDM headquarters and branches nationwide.
Senior Assistant Director of Customs (PKPK II) at AKMAL Sarawak, Deswita Santari Abdul Khalik, said the programme was designed to enhance the department’s preparedness in handling issues before they escalated into major crises.
“We already have the necessary skills, but this course is intended to further strengthen JKDM’s capability to act proactively before an issue develops into a bigger crisis,” she said in her speech today.
Deswita said participants were also exposed to newsroom operations and the role of enforcement agencies in delivering timely information to the public.
They were introduced to the proper use of digital forensic and basic sentiment monitoring tools, including InVID WeVerify, Google Reverse Image Search, X Advanced Search, Google Trends and Boardreader.
Participants also received practical training in producing digital media materials, including drafting rapid response statements, media releases, social media content, designing infographics and conducting effective press conferences.
The workshop was conducted by experts from the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), who served as trainers and speakers throughout the programme.
