PUTRAJAYA, June 15, 2026 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has congratulated Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan on her appointment as the new Chairperson of the Malaysian Media Council (Majlis Media Malaysia – MMM).
The appointment was unanimously approved by the MMM board during its meeting on May 26, 2026. Nallini, a highly respected former Federal Court judge and the first female judge of South Asian ethnicity elevated to Malaysia’s superior judiciary, brings decades of legal expertise and integrity to the role.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Minister Fahmi expressed confidence in her leadership:
“Tahniah Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan atas pelantikan sebagai Pengerusi Majlis Media Malaysia (MMM).
Semoga MMM terus perjuangkan kebebasan media secara bertanggungjawab, memperkukuh etika kewartawanan serta memainkan peranan penting dalam mengangkat suara industri media agar terus mampan lagi dipercayai.
Selamat berkhidmat, Tan Sri.”
The minister also met with Tan Sri Nallini at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) office, where they discussed the council’s direction.
The MMM was established under the Malaysian Media Council Act 2025 (Act 868), which came into effect in mid-2025. It functions as an independent self-regulatory body aimed at upholding media freedom with responsibility, strengthening journalistic ethics, and enhancing public trust in the media industry amid evolving digital challenges.
The council includes representatives from mainstream media organisations, journalists’ unions, civil society, and academia. Its formation marks a significant milestone after decades of advocacy by media practitioners for an independent regulatory framework.
Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan served as a judge of the Federal Court of Malaysia until her retirement. She has a distinguished career in the judiciary and was recently appointed as an Adjunct Professor at Universiti Malaya. Her extensive legal experience is expected to guide the MMM in balancing press freedom with accountability.
Minister Fahmi is optimistic that under her leadership, the council will play a pivotal role in sustaining a credible and vibrant media landscape in Malaysia.
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