REPORTS of the alleged closure of the Utusan Malaysia and Kosmo newspapers by Utusan Melayu Bhd this Wednesday is hearsay and not based on an official announcement.
National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Utusan branch chairman Mohd Taufek Abdul Razak said today that based on discussions with Utusan executive chairman Abd Aziz Sheikh Fadzir, workers were only informed that Utusan would be closed if a settlement on the matter of unpaid staff salaries could not be reached.
“We were informed that if there is no way out, Utusan will close, but Aziz did not mention an actual date concerning the matter. We only heard about the Wednesday closure through hearsay from colleagues,” he said, adding he did not know the outcome of the Utusan board meeting held this evening.
However, he said, staff had been informed that a briefing would be held with Aziz at 4pm tomorrow.
About 100 Utusan Melayu workers held a protest today outside its headquarters, demanding to be paid salary arrears of between two and three months.
He said Aziz had also informed them that Utusan “does not have the money to pay the salary arrears and future salaries, and that the company has also been unable to dispose of its assets”.
Meanwhile, in Seremban, Umno Supreme Council member Jalaluddin Alias today proposed that a special fund be established to assist Utusan Malaysia workers.
The Jelebu MP said it was estimated that about 800 workers would be affected by the financial crisis afflicting the company.
“The news about the financial crisis affecting Utusan Malaysia is sad, not just for media practitioners but also society in general,” he said.
– Bernama
Najib blames Utusan’s woes on Harapan freezing Umno funds
Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak (photo, above) has blamed the Pakatan Harapan government over Umno’s inability to help its long-time mouthpiece Utusan Malaysia.
“In early February, Umno had sold its stake in Utusan… with that, the control and management of Utusan are no longer in Umno’s hands.
“However, Utusan is still close to our hearts. If Utusan is in danger, surely Umno would want to help. But how can we help?
“Umno’s bank account has been frozen since the 14th general election by the tyrannical Pakatan Harapan government,” he said in a Facebook statement.
Umno’s funds were frozen as they had originated from Najib’s bank account, which funds investigators claim were stolen from state-owned 1MDB.
The government is seeking to forfeit RM116 million in funds from Umno.
In February, Umno sold 31.61 percent of its stake in Utusan to its former Kulim Bandar Baharu MP Abd Aziz Sheikh Fadzir for RM6.65 million, representing a 65.2 percent premium.
Najib said Umno can assist Utusan if the government released the frozen funds.
“If the Harapan government rescinds the freeze on Umno’s account and return the funds that were illegally seized, we can help Utusan tomorrow.
“But do not dream that the Harapan government will act fairly. They won’t care,” he said.
Therefore, he urged the public to purchase copies of Utusan Malaysia and its sister publication Kosmo.
Staff have not been paid up to three months of salary and have been informed that the group will cease its printing operations on Wednesday.
– M’kini
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