KUALA LUMPUR: Ashwad Ismail has been appointed as the new Broadcasting director-general (DG) together with Dr Sharifah Adlina Syed Abdullah as his deputy. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has extended his congratulations to Ashwad, the former Astro Awani editor-in-chief and Sharifah, the former Plantation and Commodities Ministry (strategic planning and management) deputy secretary-general. "May the leadership you bring continue to strengthen the national broadcasting industry, drive innovation and deliver accurate and trustworthy information for the well-being of the people," he said. Ashwad, 40, succeeds Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman who stepped down on Feb 22 after nearly three years at the helm of the government's broadcasting agency. Ashwad was also among the Malaysian delegates on the Global Sumud Flotilla in 2010, aboard the MV Mavi Marmara, which was seized by Israeli forces during the Gaza Freedom Flotilla mission.

Source: The Star February 23, 2026 12:30 UTC