By P PREM KUMAR / Graphic By TMR

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Corporate Affairs Department head Nurini Kassim is expected to be named as CEO of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), according to sources.

When appointed, Nurini will be the the first female to helm the state owned media company, which in the past had been a male-dominated organisation. According to sources, Nurini, who has a wide experience in corporates especially in the capital market, is expected to assume the position as early as mid-December.

Nurini’s appointment has been endorsed by Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo, who oversees the media organisation, said a source close to the development.

It is believed Bernama has also been informed about the appointment. Nurini joined EPF in November 2015 as head of corporate affairs.

The University of Hull MBA graduate spent 15 years of her career at the Securities Commission Malaysia in various capacities, including capital market development and corporate affairs. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from Oxford Brookes University.

Bernama’s editor-in-chief (EIC) Datuk Zakaria Abdul Wahab is currently the acting CEO after taking over from Datuk Zulkefli Salleh.

Wan Hamidi Hamid, a veteran journalist and former EIC of The Rocket, was in line for the position as reported by The Malaysian Reserve. However, news of Wan Hamidi’s potential appointment had received opposition from several quarters.

Wan Hamidi had publicly admitted that he was offered the position, but the final appointment did not materialise.