The new CEO for Bernama will be appointed by way of consensus within the leadership of Pakatan Harapan.

Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Eddin Syazlee Shith said this today when asked whether Wan Hamidi Hamid, the former editor-in-chief of DAP mouthpiece The Rocket, had been offered the job.

It was speculated that the veteran journalist would be replacing current Bernama CEO Zulkefli Salleh when he retires next month.

Eddin said that he has not yet had the chance to speak to Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo about the speculation, but that he expects to soon. 

"This is among the things that I have not gotten the chance to ask the minister. He has just returned from his official visit to Japan, and I plan to ask him tomorrow.

"If I get anything from him I will inform you (the media), insya Allah," he said after launching the "Cybersecurity Malaysia Awards, Conference and Exhibition 2018" event in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur today.

When pressed if such a political appointment would be in keeping with Harapan's promise for media freedom, Eddin said the coalition makes its decisions collectively.

"In Harapan, when making a decision, it is done collectively. Not specifically by any individual.

"I believe this (decision on the candidate for new Bernama CEO) would be reached through a consensus... collectively, where everyone agrees," he said.

Several recent news reports said that Wan Hamidi had been slated to take up the position.

The speculation drew criticism towards Harapan over potential political interference in the state-owned media agency.

Some Bernama staff spoken to yesterday expressed concern over whether the agency's newfound neutrality after the May 9 polls would be stripped with Wan Hamidi at the helm.