Establishment of BERNAMA and its powers
(1) A body corporate by the name of “Pertubuhan Berita Nasional Malaysia”, or in English the “Malaysian National News Agency”, is established with perpetual succession and a common seal.
(2) BERNAMA shall, in respect of movable or immovable property, have the power—
(a) to acquire and hold such movable or immovable property; and
(b) to dispose of, or otherwise deal with, such movable or immovable property.
(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2) but subject to the Federal Constitution and this Act, BERNAMA shall have and exercise all the powers that may be necessary or expedient for the attainment of its objects or any of the objects.
(4) BERNAMA may at its discretion arrange at an appropriate time for the reception through subscription, payment, exchange or other means of international, regional and other news or news material and the distribution of the news or news material to subscribers on such terms as may be arranged.
Common seal
(1) BERNAMA shall have a common seal and the seal may be broken, changed, altered or made anew as BERNAMA deems fit.
(2) Until a seal is provided under this section, a stamp bearing the inscription “Pertubuhan Berita Nasional Malaysia” may be used as the common seal of BERNAMA.
(3) All deeds, documents and other instruments requiring the seal of BERNAMA shall be sealed accordingly in the presence of two members of the Board who shall sign every such deed, document or instrument to which such seal is affixed.
(4) Such signing shall without further attestation be sufficient evidence that the seal was duly and properly affixed and is the lawful seal of BERNAMA.
Power to enter into any arrangement for sharing of profits, etc.
BERNAMA, with the approval of the Minister and the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, may—
(a) enter into any arrangement for sharing of profits, union of interests, co-operation or joint venture with any person or body of persons; or
(b) establish or promote the establishment and expansion of companies under the Companies Act 1965 [Act 125].
Objects of BERNAMA
The objects of BERNAMA are—
(a) to seek for and present complete, objective and impartial news or news material on any matter of public and national interests within and outside Malaysia;
(b) to distribute such news or news material to subscribers on payment either in the form of fees or news exchange or both; and
(c) to report truthfully and fairly, without prejudice to public and national interest, the views of all sections of the population of Malaysia.
Source: Laws of Malaysia, Attorney General's Chambers of Malaysia (lom.agc.gov.my). Not a copy of the Gazette printed by the Government Printer (Interpretation Acts 1948 and 1967, s 61).
