EPF head of Corporate Affairs appointed Bernama’s first woman CEO

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Gobind (centre) poses with Nurini (right) and Azman for a photograph. — Bernama photo

KUALA LUMPUR: Nurini Kassim is the new chief executive officer of Bernama, the first woman to be appointed to head the Malaysian National News Agency since it was set up 51 years ago.

She assumes the post on Jan 1, 2019, for a two-year term, taking over from Datuk Zulkefli Salleh who completed his term of service on Oct 3.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo announced the appointment of Nurini, 55, in a statement yesterday.

“Nurini has 20 years of extensive experience in management in various industries including government institutions, financial regulations, information technology, and public relations and corporate affairs.

“I believe the combination of the new chief executive officer, the board of governors, the supervisory council and the editorial team led by Datuk Zakaria Abdul Wahab will take Bernama to greater heights,” he said in the statement.

Zakaria is the editor-in-chief and, currently, the acting CEO as well. Nurini, who holds an MBA from the University of Hull, United Kingdom, has been the Head of the Corporate Affairs Department of the Employees Provident Fund since October 2015.

She also has 15 years of experience since August 2000 at the Securities Commission of Malaysia where she headed various divisions including the Corporate Affairs Department, Secretariat for the Capital Market Development Fund, Capital Market Promotions Unit and Islamic Capital Market Development Project Unit.

Nurini also has experience serving in multinational technology companies, including as marketing manager from 1994 to 1997 at Sapura Systems Malaysia and as project consultant from 1990 to 1994 at Hewlett-Packard Sales Malaysia.

Speaking to Bernama at Parliament House later, Gobind said Nurini is the apt choice for CEO to strengthen the position of Bernama.

“I welcome her appointment. She is a capable person and the precise choice for us to together build and strengthen Bernama,” he said.

Gobind said Nurini, with a background of management and corporate affairs, will certainly be able to provide proposals for Bernama’s business model to meet the challenges ahead.

He also said that he had met with Nurini several times to discuss the future of Bernama.

“We understand that the media today is facing new challenges, especially in the digital world era. I feel Bernama should also be prepared to face these challenges,” he said.

Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Azman Ujang said Nurini’s appointment as the CEO can raise the national news agency to a higher level despite the challenging media environment.

He said he had confidence in Nurini’s ability because she has extensive experience in various aspects of the corporate sector, including the Employees Provident Fund.

“I am confident her experience in the various fields can help in providing ideas to take Bernama to a higher level although I know it will be a huge challenge because the media landscape now is facing a rather challenging situation with the emergence of the new media,” he said.

Azman congratulated Nurini on her appointment and said he and all Bernama staff assured her of their fullest cooperation to assist her to strengthen the Bernama brand.

Commenting on her appointment, Nurini expressed her gratitude for the opportunity given to lead the sole news agency.

“I am honoured to be given this opportunity to head Bernama and I look forward to working closely with Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo and the team at Bernama,” she said in a statement. — Bernama