The government-linked New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Bhd has appointed former journalist Kalimullah Masheerul Hassan as its new group editor-in-chief effective January

Kalimullah, 45, replaces Abdullah Ahmad, 66, who was sacked last month following an article he wrote angering Gulf nations, Bernama news agency said.

The new editor of the New Straits Times Press will resign as chairperson of national news agency Bernama but it is unclear if he will stay as chairperson and chief executive of financial services group ECM Capital, Bernama said.

Kalimullah previous specialised in political reporting and was a reporter for Reuters news agency before joining the New Straits Times as a special correspodent. He later became press secretary to ex-deputy premier Ghafar Baba before entering the private sector.

The New Straits Times is Malaysia's oldest English-language newspaper and is closely tied to Umno, the linchpin of the ruling coalition, through ownership by companies seen as proxy to the party.

Abdullah's sacking came less than a month after Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took over as prime minister from veteran Mahathir Mohamad who resigned Oct 31 after 22 years in power.

But the new premier has denied the sacking was politically motivated and said it was due to a Nov 12 article entitled "Freeing the Prophet's Land" which criticised the Saudi government and soured bilateral ties. - AFP