KUALA LUMPUR, 19 February 2026 – The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) has appointed Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) Director-General Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chief Executive Officer Datin Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin as government representatives on its board, marking a key step toward operationalising the newly established self-regulatory body for the media industry.
The appointments were made pursuant to Section 8(1)(b) of the Malaysian Media Council Act and were nominated by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil on January 14.
In a statement, the council welcomed the nominations, noting that 20 out of 21 board positions have now been filled. The only remaining vacancy is the chairperson role, for which nominations remain open.
Experienced Leadership from Public Broadcaster and National News Agency
Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman brings decades of experience in broadcasting and journalism, having served across both public and private media organisations. His tenure at RTM places him at the helm of Malaysia’s public broadcasting network, offering institutional knowledge of national media governance and public service broadcasting standards.
Datin Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, as CEO of Bernama, leads Malaysia’s national news agency and has extensive experience in newsroom management, editorial oversight and media administration. Her longstanding involvement in mainstream media positions her to contribute insight into professional journalism standards and national news coordination.
Their inclusion on the board strengthens the government’s representation within the MMC’s governance framework while maintaining a multi-stakeholder composition.
Board Composition Reflects Broad Industry Representation
The MMC board, elected in November 2025, will serve a two-year term.
Beyond the two government representatives, the council’s structure reflects a cross-section of Malaysia’s media ecosystem:
- Four members representing media companies
- Four media practitioners
- Four representatives of public interest, including academics and civil society figures
- Six additional members appointed to ensure balanced representation across gender, geography, language and media format
This composition is designed to create a broad-based and inclusive regulatory framework, aligning with the council’s objective of strengthening media governance while safeguarding press freedom and accountability.
Awaiting Operational Funding
While board appointments are nearly complete, the council is currently awaiting government funding to establish its secretariat and commence full operations.
The formation of the Malaysian Media Council follows years of discussions within the industry on creating an independent, self-regulatory body to promote ethical journalism, enhance public trust in media, and provide a platform for addressing complaints and disputes.
Once operational, the MMC is expected to play a pivotal role in setting professional standards, facilitating dialogue between media stakeholders, and strengthening institutional frameworks within Malaysia’s media landscape.
Toward a New Era of Media Governance
The establishment of the MMC represents a structural shift in Malaysia’s media governance architecture, moving toward a more consultative and self-regulatory model.
By incorporating representatives from media organisations, practitioners, academia and civil society, the council aims to balance regulatory oversight with industry autonomy.
For Malaysia’s evolving media ecosystem, shaped by digital transformation, social media proliferation and global information flows, the council’s role may become increasingly significant in ensuring professional standards while maintaining public confidence.
With 20 of 21 positions now filled, attention turns to the appointment of the chairperson and the allocation of funding necessary to operationalise the council.
The coming months will determine how effectively the MMC can transition from legislative framework to active institutional presence within Malaysia’s media landscape.
