TV News Presenter Marzella Sigai Says Acting Remains a Side Career as Broadcasting Takes Priority
KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — Television news presenter and emerging actress Marzella Sigai says her career in broadcasting continues to take precedence over acting, describing her role in the television drama Gerak Khas 2.0 as an opportunity she pursued alongside her full-time profession rather than a permanent career shift.
Speaking during the drama’s media event in Kuala Lumpur, Marzella explained that every acting offer requires careful consideration because she must balance her professional responsibilities with family commitments.
She said broadcasting remains her primary occupation, while acting is something she undertakes selectively whenever her schedule permits.
“I am still working as a news presenter, and that is my full-time profession. Acting is something I do on the side, mainly in supporting roles. If more acting opportunities come in, I will have to assess whether I can commit to them while managing my other responsibilities,” she said.
Marzella noted that balancing two demanding careers is not an easy task, particularly now that she also has family responsibilities.
She said any future acting projects would depend on whether they could fit into her existing work schedule without affecting her role as a news presenter or the time she spends with her family.
Beyond discussing her career plans, Marzella also shared how her familiarity with the Sarawak Malay dialect helped her portray her character more naturally in Gerak Khas 2.0.
Although she was born and raised in Melaka, her family’s relocation to Sarawak after she completed the Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) introduced her to a different linguistic and cultural environment.
She later pursued her pre-university studies there, where daily interaction with classmates enabled her to learn both the Sarawak Malay dialect and the Iban language.
According to Marzella, while her family continued speaking Peninsular Malaysian Malay at home, her school environment played a significant role in helping her become fluent in local dialects through everyday conversations.
She believes that experience has become an advantage in her acting career, particularly for productions requiring authentic Sarawakian dialogue and cultural nuances.
Marzella said living in different parts of Malaysia has broadened her understanding of the country’s diverse cultures, allowing her to bring greater authenticity to the characters she portrays on screen.
Produced through a collaboration between Sarawak Media Group (SMG) and Skop Productions, Gerak Khas 2.0 is directed by Datuk Dr. Yusof Haslam and premiered on July 3.
The action drama is broadcast every Friday at 8.30 pm exclusively on TVS.
Before entering the acting scene, Marzella established herself as a television news presenter with TVS. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Marketing) from the University of Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).
While her acting career continues to develop, Marzella said her immediate priority remains journalism and broadcasting, viewing acting as a complementary pursuit that she will continue only if it can be balanced with her professional commitments and family life.
