Bernama CEO will be announced next week - Gobind

The new CEO of Bernama will be announced next week, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo.

"I will announce next week," he replied briefly when asked about the matter, after attending a function at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) today.

Further pressed on how many names have been shortlisted for the position, Gobind urged all quarters to wait for the announcement.

"Just wait, we will announce it," he said.

Wan Hamidi Hamid, the former editor-in-chief of DAP's official mouthpiece the Rocket, has been previously reported to be chosen to take over the position, following the retirement of the current CEO Zulkefli Salleh, next month.

The news, however, was met with criticisms that the appointment of Wan Hamidi, who is also the Federal Territories DAP political education director, will "politicise" the national news agency.

Several Bernama staff who spoke to Malaysiakinirecently expressed concern that Wan Hamidi's appointment could jeopardise the newfound neutrality of the agency, following Pakatan Harapan's win at the national polls on May 9. 

There were also those who were willing to give the veteran newsman the benefit of the doubt, saying his vast experience in editorial could help drive Bernama editorial to another level.

Wan Hamidi began his career with Berita Harian in 1986, and has more than 30 years of experience in journalism. - Mkini