Nur-ul Afida’s Service As Bernama CEO Extended On Contract By Two Years

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) – The service of Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin has been extended on a contractual basis for two years, effective Dec 16.

The appointment letter was presented by Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai during a brief ceremony at Wisma Bernama today.

“I am thankful to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil and the ministry secretary-general (Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa) for supporting Bernama's appeal to JPA (Public Service Department) to extend Nur-ul's service.

“She is an asset to Bernama and her continuation as CEO will be helpful as 2025 is a busy calendar year," Wong said in a statement.

Malaysia will hold the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 and a list of high-profile meetings has been scheduled.

The service extension of Nur-ul Afida, who is due to retire on Dec 15, 2024, was endorsed by the Bernama Board of Governors in accordance with the government's policies and procedures for contractual appointments (contract of service).

In October 2023, Nur-ul Afida created history as the first woman to hold the position of Editor-in-Chief at the news agency, which was established in 1967.

She was appointed as CEO on Feb 27 this year, replacing Jamaluddin Muhammad, who went on mandatory retirement in December last year.

Nur-ul Afida, 58, has extensive experience in journalism and has held several key positions at Bernama, including Deputy Editor-in-Chief for News Service and Head of Strategic Planning Division.

A daughter of veteran journalist the late AR Kamaludin, Nur-ul Afida began her career as a reporter at Harian Nasional before joining Bernama as a cadet reporter in January 1985.

Throughout her 39-year career, she has served in various departments and units, including the General News Desk, Malay Language Sub-Editing Desk, Photo Unit and the Features and Strategic Writing Desk.

She has also been a trainer at the Bernama School of Journalism since 2009.

Nur-ul Afida received her early education at Bukit Bintang Girls' School and continued her studies in Form Six at Institut Hasni in 1986. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Universiti Teknologi MARA in 1993.

She pursued her Master’s degree in Communication Management at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 2011.

A familiar name in Malaysian journalism, Nur-ul Afida was appointed as a member of the Administrative Council of the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) on May 16 this year.

Recognised for her leadership in breaking barriers and inspiring a new generation of female leaders in journalism, she received the Luminary Media Award from the National Press Club (NPC) during its Diamond Jubilee Awards ceremony on Sept 27.

-- BERNAMA