Former Federal Court Judge Nallini Pathmanathan Appointed MMM Chairperson

The Malaysian Media Council (MMM) has named Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan, a retired Federal Court judge, to lead the self-regulatory body established under the MMM Act 2025. The unanimous board endorsement came during a May 26 meeting, drawing immediate support from media industry figures who view her judicial credentials as strengthening institutional independence.

Datuk Yong Soo Heong, president of the Malaysian Press Institute, said Nallini's legal background would anchor the council's work in principles of justice, transparency and accountability. By appointing someone without ties to political or commercial interests, the MMM can make decisions rooted in fairness and public benefit, he noted. This selection, Yong added, would reinforce public trust in the media as a cornerstone of democratic institutions.

National Journalism Laureate Datuk A. Kadir Jasin traced the logic back to the council's original vision when it was established in 2018 with then Communications Minister Gobind Singh Deo. He had advocated then, as Special Adviser on Media and Communications to then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, for leadership that would be genuinely independent and widely recognised as such. Nallini's appointment, he said, fulfils this long-standing aspiration.

Mohamad Fauzi Ishak, president of the Malaysian Media Clubs Association, identified broader opportunities in the appointment. He called for the MMM Act to be reviewed to grant the council stronger statutory authority to handle complaints and disputes within the industry. Currently, many grievances remain unresolved due to legal gaps, he explained, particularly as the sector grapples with misinformation and artificial intelligence challenges.

Fauzi stressed that Nallini's experience and standing position the council to defend press freedom while ensuring practitioners maintain high professional standards. The MMM must remain insulated from vested interests to sustain confidence among both the industry and public. With these foundations in place, he concluded, the council can develop a healthy and accountable media ecosystem.