Petaling Jaya – A major change has taken place within the national journalism landscape. The Malaysian Media Council has officially announced the appointment of retired Federal Court judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan as its new Chairperson. The council’s board members unanimously agreed upon the historic decision during a high-level meeting on May 26, 2026. Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan now steps in as the official Malaysian Media Council chairman. The council has hailed her appointment as a major milestone. Her vast legal experience will significantly strengthen the body’s role as an independent, credible, and public-interest-based self-regulatory group for the local media industry.
A Distinguished Judicial Career
Tan Sri Nallini brings an extraordinary wealth of legal knowledge to the media council. She retired from the Federal Court of Malaysia in February 2026 after serving a distinguished 18-year career on the bench.
During her time in the superior judiciary, she wrote around 325 reported judgments, including landmark decisions in both constitutional and commercial law. Notably, she was also the first woman of South Asian ethnicity to be elevated to Malaysia’s superior judiciary. Before becoming a judge, she practiced law at the prominent firm Messrs Skrine for over two decades. Today, she continues to serve the global legal community as an international arbitrator, mediator, and judge on the Qatar International Court.
Shaping the Future of Malaysian Media
The Malaysian Media Council was established under the landmark Malaysian Media Council Act 2025. It acts as an independent watchdog tasked with handling public complaints, improving ethical practices, and defending media freedom as a core foundation of democracy.
Under the leadership of Tan Sri Nallini, the council will focus on four main pillars,
- Strengthening the Institution– Building a mature and highly credible regulatory council.
- Applying the Code of Conduct– Implementing clear, fair, and modern journalistic standards.
- Managing Public Complaints– Developing a fair and trusted system for the public to voice concerns about media coverage.
- Driving Legal Reform– Encouraging a balanced legal environment that protects freedom of expression and the public’s right to accurate information.
This appointment comes at a crucial time for the industry. Media houses across the globe are currently facing deep economic pressures, rapid technological shifts from artificial intelligence, and the rising threat of digital misinformation. The council expressed its deep gratitude to media organizations, journalist associations, civil society, and the government for their shared support in making this independent media framework a reality.
Strengthening Ethical Standards in Journalism
The establishment of this body brings significant long-term benefits to the local press industry under the Malaysian Media Council Act. For example, the council will act as an independent platform to handle public complaints against unfair news reports. Furthermore, the team plans to design a more relevant code of ethics for digital media spaces. This framework will also safeguard the welfare of local media workers. Because of these goals, the appointment marks a major milestone for the press.
At the same time, the Ministry of Communications voiced its full support for the new appointment. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil congratulated Nallini on social media. He hopes the council will push for responsible press freedom without any political interference. Additionally, the government expects the new system to stabilize the local media economy. Finally, Nallini will start her official two-year term with the board next week. Everyone hopes the new Malaysian Media Council chairman will guide the industry toward positive growth.
