What to Expect — and Prepare For — at GIJC25 in Kuala Lumpur

With its launch just a few days away, excitement is rapidly building for a week of practical investigative tips, rich networking, cultural treats, and a new mental frame for accountability journalism at the first-ever Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC25) in Asia.

Representing the largest gathering of international investigative journalists every two years, this event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, will include everything from visionary insights from multiple Nobel Prize laureates and fantastic food to compelling documentary screenings and many new potential journalistic collaborators. Perhaps GIJC25 will trigger another blockbuster collaboration? Or reveal new global techniques developed by Asian watchdogs? Or change your journalism with a simple new security protocol or amazing free tool you’d use every day? Or, who knows — perhaps catalyze another Muckrakers journalists’ rock band?

As registered attendees prepare to pack suitcases, laptops, and contact books, here is a quick guide on what to expect, how to navigate the conference, and last-minute must-do’s.

For some local context, it might be helpful to know our conference is happening on the heels of Malaysia hosting the ASEAN Summit, an important regional geopolitical gathering. And you might be curious about the latest updates on former Malaysian PM Najib Razak, who was embroiled in the 1MDB scandal — there are not one but two Netflix shows that examine the massive corruption case.

Before You Leave

Complete the Malaysian Digital Arrival Before You Go: All travelers entering Malaysia (except for Malaysian citizens and permanent residents, Singapore citizens, and certain other trailer categories) are required to have completed the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within three days of their scheduled arrival in the country. Don’t forget to complete this simple process before setting off! While day-of-travel applications are allowed, it’s a good idea to do this a day or two before you depart.

Bring a ‘Type-G’ Power Adapter: The primary power sockets in Malaysia are for Type-G plugs — three rectangular pins in a triangle pattern. Also, the standard voltage in Malaysia is 240, so you may need a voltage converter in case your device is strictly rated for a lower range. But if your devices support a range of 110 – 240V, you should be fine. (Most laptops charging cords have a built-in voltage regulator.)

Packing for Weather. Consider packing a small umbrella, a light rain jacket, sunblock, and breathable cotton clothing, as Kuala Lumpur’s weather in mid-November is typically hot and humid (average maximum of about 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit), with frequent afternoon rain showers.

Plan Your GIJC25 Sessions on the Sched App. For a great way to view and plan your session attendance at GIJC25 — featuring more than 150 panels and workshops, and more than 300 speakers — and potentially connect with fellow attendees, download the GIJC25 Conference App or search for “GIJC25” or “Global Investigative Journalism Conference” in the Sched event directory. (Please also check out our GIJC25 Code of Conduct Guidelines.)

When You Arrive

Airport Transport: Note that Kuala Lumpur International Airport is relatively far from the city center, at about 50km (30 miles). Probably the most convenient return option is the KLIA Ekspres airport rail service, which offers a frequent, non-stop ride of about 28 minutes direct to the KL Sentral station in the city.

To get from the KL Sentral station to KLCC (12 minutes), follow the clearly marked signs to the Rapid KL LRT Platform, purchase a one-way token at the ticket machines, and then board the regular LRT trains in the Gombak direction (not the Putra Heights direction). KLCC should be the fifth stop.

Cash: While major credit cards should suffice for most purchases in KL, it is advisable to have a small amount of cash in local currency for small street vendor transactions.

For an Airport Taxi (about MYR 100 one-way to KLCC area): first purchase a coupon from the airport taxi counters — which can be found at International Baggage Reclaim, Level 3, Main Terminal Building. Metered taxis can be hailed outside of Level 3.

What to Expect at the Conference

Above all: you can expect to be immersed in — and reconnected to — the global investigative journalism community: more than 1500 fellow watchdog reporters and editors from over 100 countries and territories.

The Venue: Situated alongside the iconic Petronas Towers, alongside the iconic Petronas Towers, at the heart of the Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC), the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre will be the hub for GIJC sessions, exhibitor wares, and several cultural and networking events.

Merch & Mingle. Meet global investigative allies, browse the watchdog-related books and merchandise, and learn of new opportunities.

Ample Free Wi-Fi around KLCC:

• Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre: Free Wi-Fi is available for visitors within the convention center, with internet stations for convenient access.
• KLCC Park: Offers free public Wi-Fi. Simply connect to the network and enjoy browsing.
• Suria KLCC Mall: Provides free Wi-Fi throughout the mall. Visitors can connect without any registration.
• Petronas Twin Towers: Free Wi-Fi is available around the base of the towers. Connect to the network to access the internet.
• DÔME Café (Suria KLCC): Customers can enjoy free Wi-Fi. You may need to make a purchase to access the service.
• Starbucks (Suria KLCC): Offers free Wi-Fi for patrons. A purchase may be required for access.
• San Francisco Coffee (Suria KLCC): Provides free Wi-Fi to customers, typically requiring a purchase.
• Pavilion Kuala Lumpur: Located a short distance from KLCC, this mall also offers free Wi-Fi throughout its premises.

Childcare and more: Once again, we will be offering professional childcare at GIJC. Furthermore, you will find lots of practical information on the GIJC25 website:

• FAQs
• Venue and Accommodations
• Visitor Information
• Getting Around

Special Events

Various partners and members from the community have organized special side events during the conference days. More information can be found here.

Thursday (6pm): If you’re at the Convention Center on Thursday evening, November 20, follow the signs to the Welcome Reception, for a few hours of local flavors, investigative camaraderie, and great conversation in a relaxed setting.

Friday (8pm): On Friday evening, November 21, join fellow attendees for social networking and drinks at the Traders Hotel SkyBar (The Traders Hotel adjoins the convention center) – and enjoy stunning views of the city and Petronas Twin Towers. Tip: Be sure to arrive early, as capacity is limited to 200 guests at a time.

If you aren’t networking with fellow muckrakers over a light meal at lunch break on Friday, then enjoy a specially curated cultural showcase that highlights Malaysia’s vibrant heritage.

For a longform video journalism experience, check out GIJC25’s documentary screenings: Check your program on Sched for soon to be released screening times, and look forward to being inspired by the following four outstanding video-format accountability projects — together with two panel discussions on this medium:

• “A Dangerous Assignment: Uncovering Corruption in Maduro’s Venezuela” From FRONTLINE and the Venezuelan investigative outlet Armando.info, this Emmy-nominated documentary digs into the central figure behind a massive corruption scandal spanning Venezuela and the United States. The film tells the inside story of a man who was captured and then released by US authorities in a controversial prisoner swap, and also what happened to journalists who helped uncover the scandal.
• “Inside Gaza” This gripping film follows the everyday lives of four Agence France-Presse’s journalists in Gaza, in what became the most deadly environment for reporters in the world following the October 7 Hamas attacks, and the lethal military assaults by Israel.
• “Search and Seizure: The Rise of Insurrection” This documentary shows how South Korea’s leading investigative newsroom, Newstapa, faced the fiercest attack on press freedom in decades.
• “The Lundin Case: Silence Every Witness” This chilling film reveals intimidation and threats of violence to witnesses in a landmark trial in Sweden, as well as a deeper effort to deny justice to victims of war crimes in Sudan.

These will be accompanied by two documentary panels: From Investigation to Screen (at 1:30pm Saturday, November 22) and Storytelling: Strategies to Develop Video Investigations (at 1:30pm Sunday, November 23.)

Sunday (1:30pm): Indigenous News Alliance launch. If you are an Indigenous journalist, or a reporter or editor hoping to elevate Indigenous narratives and perspectives in future, then join this launch event for the new Indigenous News Alliance (INA). In addition to launching a cross‑border network of Indigenous newsrooms from Canada, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia, this will also be an informal networking session on the global challenges and opportunities for deeper coverage of issues facing Indigenous communities, and a rare chance for brainstorming and collaboration.

Sunday (6pm): Join the global investigative community for the social event of the week: GIJC25’s Banquet and Awards Night, beginning at 6pm. This is a seated gala dinner featuring cultural performances, a look-ahead to GIJC27, and the in-person awarding of GIJN’s Global Shining Light Award — which honors investigative journalism carried out in transitional nations, under perilous conditions.

Not Coming to GIJC25?

For those not attending the conference, we will be publishing reported recaps of certain panels throughout GIJC25 and also uploading select session recordings to GIJN’s YouTube channel in the days and weeks following. Follow along the tips, tools, and real time conference coverage using the #GIJC25 hashtag on social media, or check any of GIJN’s social media platforms.