Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The 8th Kuala Lumpur International PR Conference (KLIP 8), organised by World Communications, was successfully held on 8–9 June 2026, bringing together communication leaders, policymakers, academics, and industry professionals from across ASEAN and beyond.
The conference welcomed representatives from the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, ASEAN PR Network (APRN), Institute of Public Relations Malaysia (IPRM), PERHUMAS (Indonesia), Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), Public Relations Professionals Association (Hong Kong), LSPR Institute of Communication and Business, Malaysian Association of Communication Educators (MACE), and many other leading organisations throughout the region.
More than 300 participants attended the two-day conference, representing multinational corporations, government ministries, government-linked companies (GLCs), media organisations, universities, and professional public relations associations from Malaysia, ASEAN, and around the world.
Under the theme “Zero Hour: The Trust Crisis – PR in an AI-Driven World,” KLIP 8 addressed one of the most pressing challenges facing communication professionals today: rebuilding public trust amid the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, misinformation, and digital manipulation.
Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Bank Negara Malaysia, PETRONAS, Sarawak Energy, ASTRO, BERNAMA, Amanah Raya, Gamuda Land, Unit Komunikasi Awam Sarawak (UKAS), Johor Land, as well as public and private universities, regional PR associations, and communication professionals from across ASEAN. Their participation further reinforced KLIP’s growing reputation as a leading regional platform for strategic communication, digital governance, and AI-driven transformation.
Speaking at the conference, Mr. Jaffri Amin Osman, Managing Director of World Communications and host of KLIP 8, said:
“The trends shaping our profession are clear: AI-driven communication, predictive issue management, real-time crisis response, and trust as the ultimate currency. KLIP exists to help practitioners navigate this new reality with clarity and confidence. As Malaysia and ASEAN step into an AI-accelerated future, communication leaders must evolve from storytellers into strategic advisors, guiding organisations with insight, integrity, and purpose.”
Representing the ASEAN PR Network (APRN), Dr. (H.C.) Prita Kemal Gani, President of APRN, highlighted the conference’s significant contribution to advancing the communication profession across the region. She remarked:
“ASEAN PR Network and our members across the region have proudly supported the Kuala Lumpur International PR Conference since 2019. KLIP has consistently delivered world-class content by bringing together relevant, engaging, and forward-thinking public relations and communication leaders every year. Jaffri’s vision and deep industry expertise continue to set important benchmarks for the profession across ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific.”
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister of Communications, YB Teo Nie Ching reaffirmed the Malaysian Government’s commitment to strengthening digital governance, platform accountability, and online safety. She stated:
“Malaysia’s digital future must be built on trust—trust in information, trust in platforms, and trust that technology serves people rather than harms them. As artificial intelligence and digital platforms continue to evolve, our responsibility is to ensure strong governance, platform accountability, and the protection of our children and communities. Technology is not the problem; the real danger emerges when powerful systems operate without transparency or ethical safeguards. This is why the Government remains committed to strengthening online safety, improving digital literacy, and investing in sovereign AI capabilities that safeguard Malaysia’s interests.”
Meanwhile, Adrian Cropley, Executive Leadership Coach and former Chair of IABC Global, shared how artificial intelligence is transforming the measurement of communication effectiveness. He said:
“For as long as I’ve been in this profession, communication has created extraordinary value that was often difficult to quantify—trust, influence, and the stories that shape how organisations are understood. What excites me about this moment is that AI is finally helping us transform those intangible outcomes into measurable impact. It connects influence, trust, and storytelling to real brand growth. That is the heart of what I shared at KLIP 8, and I’m delighted to explore this future alongside Jaffri and the World Communications team.”
Since its inception in 2019, the Kuala Lumpur International PR Conference has established itself as one of the region’s premier platforms for dialogue among communication leaders, academics, policymakers, and industry practitioners. The conference continues to foster knowledge exchange, strengthen professional standards, and advance the future of public relations across Malaysia, ASEAN, and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
As the communications landscape undergoes unprecedented transformation, KLIP has become more than just an annual conference. It has evolved into a regional platform where communication professionals collectively explore the impact of emerging technologies, address the growing crisis of trust, and shape the future of ethical, responsible, and strategic communication. By bringing together diverse perspectives from government, industry, academia, and professional associations, KLIP continues to position Malaysia and ASEAN not only as active participants in the global conversation on AI and communication, but also as influential contributors to its future.
