Board of Directors
Group Chairman, Media Prima Berhad
Datuk Seri (Dr) Syed Hussian was appointed as Group Chairman-designate of Media Prima Berhad on June 13, 2019 and officially assumed the position on July 1, 2019. He also serves as the Chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.
Bringing over 30 years of professional experience, Datuk (Dr) Syed Hussian has a strong background in the insurance and technology industries, with a deep understanding of emerging technologies and expertise in corporate transformation. His career began in 1982 with The American Malaysian Insurance Sdn Bhd, where he was promoted to Penang Branch Manager in 1986. By 1989, he advanced to Senior Regional Manager, overseeing operations across Penang, Perlis, Kedah and Perak.
Within Media Prima Group, he has served as an Independent Non-Executive Director across various companies. His directorships include roles with Merit Idea Sdn Bhd, Primeworks Studios Sdn Bhd, Media Prima Digital Sdn Bhd, Metropolitan TV Sdn Bhd (8TV) and Ch-9 Media Sdn Bhd (TV9). Additionally, he has held board positions with Tanjung Offshore Berhad, AWC Berhad, Efficient E-Solutions Berhad and Amanah Raya Reit Berhad.
Currently, Datuk (Dr) Syed Hussian is the Group Chairman – Malaysia Operations for Western Digital, overseeing its subsidiaries, including Western Digital Media (Penang), SanDisk Batu Kawan (Penang) and Western Digital Substrate operations in Johor and Kuching. His earlier roles with Western Digital included Senior Director in 2011 and Director of Asian Operations Support in 2000. He is also a Director of Finisar Malaysia Sdn Bhd (now II-VI), a leading multinational in Perak employing approximately 4,000 people. Both Western Digital and II-VI are listed on the NASDAQ.
Datuk (Dr) Syed Hussian is a prominent advocate for education and has been widely recognised for his efforts in improving access to quality education for Malaysian students. He was appointed to the Board of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) by the Ministry of Higher Education. He also serves as the CEO@Fakulti and the Chairman of the Industry Advisory Board for Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Polytechnic since 2020. At Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), he is an Adjunct Professor and CEO@Fakulti, receiving the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering Technology in 2019 for his contributions. He is also the Advisor for Universiti Malaysia Kelantan’s Entrepreneurship Programme and Chairman of the WD-Ministry of Higher Education Campus Connect Program.
Datuk (Dr) Syed Hussian holds a Diploma in Insurance from the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) in Tokyo, Japan (1988) and a Certificate in Insurance from Institut Teknologi MARA (1982). He completed the Government Entrepreneurial Program at ASIA BUNKA Kaikan in Tokyo (1985) and attended a Management Program at Re GMBH in Cologne, Germany (1991).
Group Managing Director (GMD), Media Prima Berhad
Rafiq assumed the role of Group Managing Director of Media Prima on October 1, 2021, following his tenure as Group Executive Director starting February 18 of the same year. Since April 15, 2016, he has also served as the CEO of REV Media Group.
Rafiq holds a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science with First Class Honours from Pennsylvania State University. He brings extensive expertise in business development and strategic planning, with a proven ability to establish start-up ventures in the digital and information technology sectors.
His career in IT began at Maxis Berhad, where he held various positions, including roles in the International Data Wholesale and Corporate Strategy divisions.
In 2011, Rafiq contributed to the formation of Groupon Malaysia, a leading e-commerce platform connecting customers with local merchants globally. Recognised for his outstanding performance, he was promoted to Country General Manager for Malaysia in 2013.
In 2015, Rafiq co-founded KFit, now known as Fave, a Malaysian start-up that began as a fitness subscription service and evolved into a hyperlocal marketplace for food and service experiences. Operating across six Asia-Pacific countries, Fave has secured funding from prominent venture capital firms, including Sequoia Capital.
Rafiq’s appointment as Group Executive Director reflects Media Prima’s commitment to strengthening its position as Malaysia’s largest integrated media group, offering innovative solutions to meet the dynamic needs of its customers.
