The inaugural Global Public Relations Conference and Festival Malaysia 2025 (GPRCFMY), held from 13 to 15 November, has earned a place in the Malaysia Book of Records for hosting the largest international public relations gathering ever organised in the country. Over three vibrant days at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, more than 870 delegates – including 250 international participants – came together to exchange ideas, sharpen professional capabilities, and reaffirm Malaysia’s position as a regional centre for communications innovation, ethical leadership, and industry growth.
Organised by the Public Relations Practitioners Society of Malaysia (PRactitioners), the event embraced the theme “Humanity Amplified: Redefining Public Relations in the Age of Intelligence.” It combined the intellectual depth of a world class conference with the energy of a festival, offering keynote presentations, plenaries, panel dialogues, masterclasses, networking forums, and cultural showcases. Delegates represented six continents, with strong participation from ASEAN, Africa, and East Asia, including Indonesia, Singapore, Nigeria, South Africa, Japan, and South Korea. The gathering brought the global PR community together in Kuala Lumpur in a way not seen before in Malaysia.
The opening ceremony was graced by Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al Maghfur Lah, Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan. His Royal Highness underscored the urgent need for communicators to strengthen integrity, embrace innovation, and rebuild human trust as the world navigates an era defined by artificial intelligence and complex information ecosystems. Minister of Communications YB Datuk Fahmi Fadzil was also in attendance, reflecting the government’s recognition of the industry’s growing importance in shaping public understanding and national resilience.
Day Two saw another distinguished royal presence when Her Royal Highness Tengku Permaisuri Hajah Norashikin Abdul Rahman, Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, officiated the launch of the National Code of Ethics and Integrity for Public Relations Practitioners. Developed by the Public Relations and Communications Association of Malaysia (PRCA Malaysia), the Code marks a landmark step in strengthening ethical conduct, elevating industry professionalism, and guiding the responsible practice of communication in the age of intelligent technologies.
The Gala Dinner and Appreciation Night, officiated by YAB Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, celebrated the profession’s finest contributors. The evening included the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards to industry veterans whose work has shaped Malaysia’s communications landscape and inspired future generations of practitioners.
Datuk P. Kamalanathan, Organising Chairperson of GPRCFMY and Chairman of PRactitioners, reflected on the event’s impact: “GPRCFMY 2025 has demonstrated the strength, depth, and global relevance of Malaysia’s public relations industry. Our speakers brought practical insights and grounded perspectives that speak to the real challenges of modern communication. This is only the beginning. Malaysia is ready to take its place on the world stage, and we look forward to welcoming even more practitioners at the next Global PR Conference.”
International diplomatic participation added further prestige, with dignitaries such as His Excellency Edgard D. Kagan, United States Ambassador to Malaysia, and His Excellency Vanu Gopala Menon, High Commissioner of Singapore, contributing to rich discussions on diplomacy, geopolitics, and strategic influence. Plenary speakers Khairy Jamaluddin, former Minister of Health, and Dato’ Sri Idris Jala, former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, offered compelling insights on leading with integrity, innovation, and adaptability in an era of rapid transformation.
Delegates also benefitted from masterclasses led by respected industry experts, covering verbal and non verbal communication, AI driven visual intelligence, high impact storytelling, and authentic brand building. Sessions were facilitated by Salina Salli (Digital Dolphin Academy), Dato’ Saniboey Mohd Ismail (Razor’s Edge Pictures), Sanjaya Kumaraseri (FloWorks), and Navonil Roy (Moving Walls). A dedicated youth panel brought fresh perspectives on how Gen Z voices, emerging media channels, and evolving audience expectations are reshaping the future of trust and public relations.
Beyond its content rich programme, the conference sparked meaningful conversations on regional collaboration, ethical communication, and responsible technological adoption. Delegates from industry associations, academic institutions, and international organisations expressed strong interest in future initiatives on ethics, AI readiness, and youth development. These discussions are expected to seed new partnerships and workstreams as the industry looks ahead to 2026.
GPRCFMY 2025 not only sets a national milestone but also reaffirms Malaysia’s and the PRactitioners’ commitment to building an ethics driven and intelligence ready communications ecosystem that supports national progress and global cooperation.