Editing Bernama (section)

===Later years===
On 27 February 1990, the Government tabled a bill at the Dewan Rakyat to grant Bernama a specific rights to determine the types of news materials from international news agencies which it "considered suitable for local publications".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/beritaharian19900228-1.2.7|title=Hak bagi Bernama pilih bahan berita luar negeri|publisher=[[Berita Harian (Singapore)|Berita Harian]]|date=28 February 1990|access-date=10 January 2017|page=1|archive-date=10 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110134019/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/beritaharian19900228-1.2.7|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/stoverseas19900303-1.2.9.6|title=Govt tables Bill to give Bernama more control|publisher=[[The Straits Times]]|date=3 March 1990|access-date=11 January 2017|page=10|archive-date=11 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111033601/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/stoverseas19900303-1.2.9.6|url-status=live}}</ref> Ahead of the privatisation of Bernama, the then-Information Minister, [[Mohamed Rahmat]] said that the proposed privatisation will only involves certain aspects of its operations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VK5UAAAAIBAJ&dq=Bernama&pg=PA6&article_id=4792,1022458|title=Certain operations of Bernama to go private|publisher=[[New Straits Times]]|date=19 May 1990|access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref>

In June the same year, the amendment of the 1967 Bernama Act was tabled again in Parliament. The amendment was "not intended to restrict, control or abuse press freedom in the country".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19900612-1.2.26.8.7|title=Bernama Act's changes 'not to restrict press'|publisher=[[The Straits Times]]|date=12 June 1990|access-date=10 January 2017|page=14|archive-date=10 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110132822/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19900612-1.2.26.8.7|url-status=live}}</ref> A day later, Bernama was given sole rights to receive and distribute news in the country and allowed to ventured into business to ensure it is self-financed after the Parliament passed amendments of the act.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8sBUAAAAIBAJ&dq=Bernama&pg=PA4&article_id=6840,3375077|title=Bill giving Bernama exclusive rights passed|publisher=[[New Straits Times]]|date=12 June 1990|access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19900613-1.2.25.1|title=Bernama given sole right to distribute news|author=Kalimullah Hassan|publisher=[[The Straits Times]]|date=13 June 1990|access-date=10 January 2017|page=14|archive-date=21 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221034840/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19900613-1.2.25.1|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 1991, Bernama partnered with [[HSBC (Hong Kong)|Hongkong Bank]] to launch a daily facsimile news service, known as Bernama-Hongkong Bank Five O'Clock Digest.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19910103-1.2.21.2|title=Bernama and Hongkong Bank launch news service|publisher=[[The Business Times (Singapore)|The Business Times]]|date=3 January 1991|access-date=11 January 2017|page=7|archive-date=11 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111153916/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19910103-1.2.21.2|url-status=live}}</ref>

The plan for privatisation of Bernama revived in September 1991 when its Editor-in-Chief at that time, [[Abdul Rahman Sulaiman]] said that the agency will be undergoing a major restructuring as part of its preparation to transform itself into a private entity.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19910930-1.2.27.6|title=Bernama to be revamped to prepare it for privatisation|publisher=[[The Straits Times]]|date=30 September 1991|access-date=10 January 2017|page=17|archive-date=10 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110132824/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19910930-1.2.27.6|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19910930-1.2.12.7|title=Bernama to be revamped ahead of privatisation|publisher=[[The Business Times (Singapore)|The Business Times]]|date=30 September 1991|access-date=10 January 2017|page=3|archive-date=10 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110142823/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19910930-1.2.12.7|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19910919-1.2.14.9.2|title=Malaysia to privatise Bernama|publisher=[[The Business Times (Singapore)|The Business Times]]|date=19 September 1991|access-date=11 January 2017|page=3|archive-date=11 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111022522/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19910919-1.2.14.9.2|url-status=live}}</ref> By early 1992, Bernama inked a joint venture agreement with Pegi Malaysia's wholly-owned subsidiary, Applied Information Management Services to marketed a new real-time financial information service, known as the Information Edge. The joint venture was launched on 21 January 1992 and officiated by the then-Information Minister, [[Mohamed Rahmat]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/2465590/bernama-in-new-information-venture|title=Bernama in new information venture|publisher=[[Business Times (Malaysia)|Business Times]]|date=21 January 1992|accessdate=14 December 2020}}</ref>

In March 1992, Bernama launched a personal computer-based technical analysis service on price movements on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (now [[Bursa Malaysia]]) which targeted for investors.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19920318-1.2.17.6|title=Bernama launches PC-based technical analysis of KLSE|publisher=[[The Business Times (Singapore)|The Business Times]]|date=18 March 1992|access-date=12 January 2017|page=6|archive-date=12 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112030305/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19920318-1.2.17.6|url-status=live}}</ref>

The then-Deputy Prime Minister, [[Ghafar Baba]] confirmed that the Government will corporatised Bernama by the end of 1993 and will privatised within 3 years while clarified that the move will "help enhance the country's communications facilities".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19930204-1.2.25.8|title=Bernama to be privatised within 3 years|publisher=[[The Straits Times]]|date=4 February 1993|access-date=11 January 2017|page=17|archive-date=11 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111022525/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19930204-1.2.25.8|url-status=live}}</ref> Bernama has set up its third regional office in [[Hanoi]], Vietnam and began operations on 1 November 1993.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19931102-1.2.24.4|title=Bernama opens third overseas bureau in Hanoi|publisher=[[The Straits Times]]|date=2 November 1993|access-date=11 November 2017|page=14|archive-date=11 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111030938/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19931102-1.2.24.4|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1994, a proposal from Bernama senior executives for a management buyout of the agency was rejected by the Government.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19940714-1.2.72.56|title=KL rejects plan for management buy-out of national news agency|author=Kalimullah Hassan|publisher=[[The Straits Times]]|date=14 July 1994|access-date=10 January 2017|page=39|archive-date=10 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110142422/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19940714-1.2.72.56|url-status=live}}</ref> The agency collaborated with telecommunications company, [[Celcom]] in August 1994 to launch a wireless stock data network, known as Wireless Stock Information Services which allow investors to access online trading data information accurately.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19940809-1.2.51.38|title=Celcom and Bernama to offer wireless KL stock data network|publisher=[[The Straits Times]]|date=9 August 1994|access-date=12 January 2017|page=35|archive-date=12 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112030306/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19940809-1.2.51.38|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19940809-1.2.27.8.9|title=Celcom, Bernama offer wireless stock data service|publisher=[[The Business Times (Singapore)|The Business Times]]|date=9 August 1994|access-date=12 January 2017|page=12|archive-date=12 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112030308/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19940809-1.2.27.8.9|url-status=live}}</ref>

The plan for Bernama's privatisation become the subject of discussion again when Information Minister at that time, [[Mohamed Rahmat]] in 1995 said that the agency would be corporatised as a private commercial entity before being privatised in 1997.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19951223-1.2.33.4.5|title=BERNAMA MOVE|publisher=[[The Straits Times]]|date=23 December 1995|access-date=11 January 2017|page=22|archive-date=11 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111030937/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19951223-1.2.33.4.5|url-status=live}}</ref> He also pointed out that the agency "will still have to discharged its social obligations in news coverage" when Bernama become a corporate entity upon its privatisation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19960401-1.2.42.5.7|title='BE CREDIBLE'|publisher=[[The Straits Times]]|date=1 April 1996|access-date=11 January 2017|page=29|archive-date=11 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111062357/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19960401-1.2.42.5.7|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1997, the Government decided to withdraw the monopoly of Bernama as a distributor of foreign news in the country.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19970612-1.2.40.3|title=Bernama to lose monopoly as news agency|publisher=[[The Straits Times]]|date=12 June 1997|access-date=10 January 2017|page=31|archive-date=10 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110142421/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19970612-1.2.40.3|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19970612-1.2.18.6|title=Govt to end Bernama's control of foreign news flow|publisher=[[The Business Times (Singapore)|The Business Times]]|date=12 June 1997|access-date=10 January 2017|page=7|archive-date=10 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110142423/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19970612-1.2.18.6|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bernama began reporting using the audio-visual medium with the opening of its audio-visual division in September 1998.<ref name="Staying relevant"/>

In 2000, former ''[[New Straits Times]]'' editor-in-chief Abdul Kadir Jasin submitted his proposal to take over Bernama, but later withdrew his decision to acquire the news agency.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes20001002-1.2.23.8|title=Ex-editor of NST plans to take over Bernama: report|publisher=[[The Business Times (Singapore)|The Business Times]]|date=2 October 2000|access-date=11 January 2017|page=13|archive-date=11 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111130945/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes20001002-1.2.23.8|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20001002-1.2.32.5|title=Ex-editor plans to take over Bernama|publisher=[[The Straits Times]]|date=2 October 2000|access-date=11 January 2017|page=25|archive-date=11 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111130947/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20001002-1.2.32.5|url-status=live}}</ref> Aside of Abdul Kadir, three other individuals also proposed to acquire Bernama. One of them is Jalaluddin Baharuddin, a former press secretary of the then-Prime Minister, [[Mahathir Mohamad]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes20001003-1.2.27.3|title=Bid for Bernama, state TV, radio submitted|publisher=[[The Business Times (Singapore)|The Business Times]]|date=3 October 2000|access-date=11 January 2017|page=15|archive-date=11 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111130946/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes20001003-1.2.27.3|url-status=live}}</ref> Jalaluddin and two other individuals later withdrew their decision to take over Bernama.

In April 2001, Bernama entered a strategic partnership with Amanah Capital Berhad for website content exchange partnerships.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/2045185/kerjasama-amanah-capital-bernama|title=Kerjasama Amanah Capital, Bernama|author=Ahmad Fiesal Othman|publisher=[[Berita Harian]]|date=11 April 2001|access-date=12 January 2021|archive-date=12 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112095229/https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/2045185/kerjasama-amanah-capital-bernama|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3414072/perkongsian-acp-bernama|title=Perkongsian ACP, Bernama|publisher=[[Harian Metro]]|date=11 April 2001|access-date=12 January 2021|archive-date=12 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112095230/https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3414072/perkongsian-acp-bernama|url-status=live}}</ref> In November, Bernama partnered with [[Astro (company)|Astro]] where the latter will air Bernama news on all Astro's in-house channels.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3884454/astro-to-broadcast-bernama-news|title=Astro to broadcast Bernama news|publisher=[[The Malay Mail]]|date=6 November 2001|access-date=6 February 2021|archive-date=6 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206133143/https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3884454/astro-to-broadcast-bernama-news|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2002, Bernama launched an Arabic news service as part of its plan to disseminate information to West Asia and several other African countries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/2073841/bernama-perkenal-khidmat-berita-arab|title=Bernama perkenal khidmat berita Arab|publisher=[[Berita Harian]]|date=25 October 2002|access-date=12 January 2021|archive-date=12 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112155504/https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/2073841/bernama-perkenal-khidmat-berita-arab|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bernama and Algerian news agency, [[Algerie Presse Service]] (APS) signed a news exchange agreement on 12 August 2003 with a purpose to enhance information dissemination between the two countries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/2116053/mou-aps-bernama-pererat-hubungan|title=MoU APS, Bernama pererat hubungan|publisher=[[Berita Harian]]|date=13 August 2003|access-date=26 January 2021|archive-date=26 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126015742/https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/2116053/mou-aps-bernama-pererat-hubungan|url-status=live}}</ref>

The formation of [[NAM News Network|NAM News Agency]], set to be run by Bernama, was planned at the Kuala Lumpur meeting of information ministers of [[Non-Aligned Movement]] member countries in November 2005, with operations set to start 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=NAM agency to counter Western media |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/today20051122-2.2.18.1?qt=nam,%20news,%20network&q=NAM%20News%20Network |access-date=15 April 2024 |work=Today (Afternoon Edition) |date=22 November 2005 |archive-date=16 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416190522/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/today20051122-2.2.18.1?qt=nam,%20news,%20network&q=NAM%20News%20Network |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2006, Bernama collaborated again with Indonesian news agency, Antara. By this time, both signed an MoU on selected news translated in Arabic that would be released by Antara for the Gulf countries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/2263559/bernama-antara-jalin-kerjasama|title=Bernama, Antara jalin kerjasama|publisher=[[Berita Harian]]|date=22 February 2006|access-date=26 January 2021|archive-date=26 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126022928/https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/2263559/bernama-antara-jalin-kerjasama|url-status=live}}</ref> It also expand its operations to India by set up an outpost in [[New Delhi]] in which it would make reports on Indian economy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/4485218/bernama-expands-to-india|title=Bernama expands to India|author=Habhajan Singh|publisher=Malaysian Business|date=1 December 2006|access-date=26 January 2021|archive-date=26 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126015744/https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/4485218/bernama-expands-to-india|url-status=live}}</ref>