Cynthia is an anchor, senior editor and producer at Malaysia’s most trusted* news channel; Astro AWANI.
Apart from anchoring the English Prime Time news programme - AWANI Tonight, she fronts AWANI Review, a series of in-depth conversations with newsmakers shaping the future of business and society. She is passionate about telling stories that inspire and impact.
To date, she has covered key new events such as the pivotal 14th Malaysia General Election and the twin tragedies of Malaysia Airlines MH370 and MH17. She has also developed a keen editorial acumen in covering corporate and economic stories, following a stint at Bloomberg prior to rejoining Astro AWANI.
She has secured and conducted high-profile interviews with the likes of Christine Lagarde when she was IMF chief, Alibaba’s Jack Ma and a rare interview with Malaysia’s 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. She frequently interviews public leaders, policy makers and top corporate figures of companies such as Google, Microsoft, Citigroup, Prudential, Petronas and AirAsia, to name a few. She has also delivered an award-winning documentary on drug abuse.
Cynthia was also the anchor for Merdeka Award Roundtable, a programme by Petronas, ExxonMobil and Shell that brings together thought leaders to discuss issues pertaining to nation building. She was the host of the programme for five years.
Within Astro, Cynthia is known for her competence and leadership in editorial. She was instrumental in conceptualising and launching the channel’s first English-language digital platform featuring insights into leadership, strategy and management.
She hosts fluently in both English and Bahasa Malaysia. Coupled with her sharp intellect, and a thoughtful take on big issues of the day, Cynthia represents the organisation as moderator at panel discussions.
A graduate of UCSI University Malaysia with First Class Honours in Mass Communications Film and Television, Cynthia made it to the final four nominees of the South East Asia Women of The Future Awards 2020.
*Astro AWANI has been ranked the Most Trusted News Brands in Malaysia for four consecutive years (2018-2021) based on the Annual Review of the Reuters Digital News Studies Institute.
