KUCHING: It is common knowledge that the next career move for a journalist in Malaysia tends to lean towards politics such as being a Cabinet minister’s press secretary.
One good example is Syeliza Basri, a former TV3 and Bernama journalist for 11 years, who is now the press secretary to Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, the federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister.
“My duties are very challenging as things are not like before and we have to be careful on what to convey to the public.
“The government is sincerely trying to help the rakyat, especially post-pandemic,” Syeliza told New Sarawak Tribune.
Based in Kuala Lumpur, she joined the ministry’s team in March, 2020.
Syeliza has 15 years of experience, including in writing, media planning, reputation risk and issue management as well as the social media.
She also specialises in radio and television news production and current affairs as well as journalism and public relations.
On her duties, she said: “My job is to prepare the best narrative and messages for the minister in text of speech, media interviews and press releases.
“Addressing issues are very important to her. We must be responsive and tackle issues immediately and strategically. I am blessed to work with a minister who has always been open and sharp.
“Datuk Seri and myself will always sit down together to discuss on the best strategic communication approaches when it comes to pressing issues”.
She disclosed that Nancy was chosen to hold the ministerial post just two to three days before the first pandemic movement control order (MCO) in 2020.
“The whole situation was unprecedented,” Syeliza related.
“We went to work everyday (during the MCO) because the industry players needed us, and they do not know where to go. We have also engaged with groups of stakeholders who are beyond our radius”.
“And being a press secretary, I must support my Minister and together with her, we went all out as these stakeholders needs to be updated with informations such as aids and incentives that we provided during that time” she said.
She said Nancy was always supportive of her team and always encouraged them to work swiftly as they needed to help industry players and stakeholders with their livelihood during the difficult time.
“I can truly say that Datuk Seri is always giving her best and she is not into it for the politics; she really wants to help people.
“A good example was during the Cabinet’s weekly meeting. She would address all their problems to the Prime Minister, who was then Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and other ministers.
“Even Tan Sri Muhyiddin himself acknowledged her sincerity in bringing the problems of (tourism) stakeholders to the attention of the Cabinet.
“I can truly say that from his time as minister and up to the current Prime Minister Tan Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the government has always been sincere in helping the rakyat cope with the difficult times.”
She added that the ministry started two of its pilot projects in Langkawi, namely the Langkawi Domestic Tourism Bubble project and the Langkawi International Travel Bubble project.
“We felt that Langkawi is an isolated island and we can control the influx of visitors and travellers.
“We started with the projects because we cannot afford to not have tourism. Now that the borders have reopened, we can start with our festive tourism.
“Last time during the MCO, Datuk Seri Nancy asked artisans to use digital platform to sell their products and that is why we now have our e-craft to help the industry.
“But the biggest product now is domestic tourism because during the pandemic, people cannot go out and they want to go out. Now, they can do so.”
She said the ministry had also introduced new travel and tour packages, which she described as “hidden gems”.
“Now, you can see the tourist arrivals are increasing.”
Syeliza said one had to be mentally and physically strong to handle the job of a press secretary as it was very demanding.
“It is not an easy job. You have to represent the minister and be the spokesperson, and you have to be responsive to the media,” she said, adding that she also had to handle 13 agencies for the minister that required a daily programme, narrative and spot questions.
“It is very demanding,” she said, adding that she takes kickboxing as a way to relax and keep fit.
“If people were to ask me, who Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri is, I would describe her as very loveable. She is genuine, humble – children love her and are drawn to her because she has a good aura.
“She is a good leader and I learnt a lot from her. I will be right behind her as long as she has faith and trust in me.”
When asked what her future plans, Syeliza said: “I would love to continue to serve and I know that it’s a noble job.
“You feel satisfied that together with Datuk Seri, I can help people. Everyday, I feel motivated to do my job because it has a purpose and that is important.”
Syeliza, who was groomed at an early age by her father Haji Basri, a retired and well-known TV3 stringer in the 1990s, who is now in his 80s.
“I really want to thank my father. I am always grateful to him because he and my mum taught me a lot. My father taught me the hard work because sometimes I helped him during his time with TV3 and even as my father, I got yelled at and scolded and when I came back home, I still would see him after our working hours,” Syeliza said.
Besides journalism and her present post, Syeliza was also UKAS principal assistant director from June 2018 – May 2020 and also press secretary to Nancy when Nancy held the post of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office from October 2013-May 2018.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Federal
Press Secretary to Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture March 2020 – present
● Preparing the best narrative and messages for the minister in text speech, media interviews and press releases.
● Advising the minister on strategic communication approaches on every issue pertaining to the ministry and anything that relates to the minister.
● Ensure the minister and the ministry’s visibility in all media platforms.
Unit Komunikasi Awam Sarawak (UKAS) Jabatan Ketua Menteri Sarawak
Principal Assistant Director June 2018 – May 2020
● Heading Strategic Communication Section – Providing report on issues on the ground to Premier of Sarawak in tackling challenges of the spreading and spinning of unsubstantiated information from all forms of social media platform.
● Heading News and Current Affairs Section – Providing accurate information by conveying the right news through Buletin UKAS to build trust among the people towards the government.
Jabatan Perdana Menteri Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan
Press Secretary to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department,
Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri October 2013 – May 2018
● Preparing speeches and talking points for the minister.
● Arranging exclusive interviews and press conference to increase the minister’s visibility in the media.
● Advising strategic communication approaches for the minister in tackling issues and challenges.
EARLY CAREER HISTORY
World Communication Network (M) Sdn Bhd | 2013 Kuala Lumpur
Senior Executive, Public Relation & Marketing Communication
Flexi-Scale Equipment & Services Sdn Bhd | 2011 – 2013 Kuala Lumpur
Head, Business Development & Marketing Communication
Bernama Radio | 2007 – 2011 Kuala Lumpur
News Producer, Programme Producer
Won Seri Angkasa Award as producer for “Kerusi Panas” Bernama Radio24
Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Bhd (TV3) | 2000 – 2007 Kuala Lumpur
Broadcast Journalist
Pusat Pembangunan Kemahiran Sarawak (PPKS) | 1999 – 2000 Samarahan, Sarawak
Videography Tutor & Journalism Tutor
EDUCATION
Open University Malaysia | 2019 – present
Master of Corporate Communications
Open University Malaysia | 2013 – 2017
Bachelor of Communications with Honours
Malaysian Integrative Institute of Media (Akademi TV3) | 1997 – 1999
Diploma in Broadcasting
SKILLS
Media and Public Relations, Media News Production, Strategic Media Planning, Reputational Risk Management.
