KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 — The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has suggested that Umno let go of Utusan Malaysia amid financial troubles plaguing the newspaper, including delays in paying staff salaries.
The union pointed out that the Umno-owned broadsheet was late twice in paying salaries, the first time last July and most recently in October, adding that this problem may continue until the end of the year.
“In line with that, NUJ suggests that Umno and the biggest shareholders discuss how to revive Utusan immediately, including having another party take over the shares,” NUJ said in a statement yesterday.
“NUJ is prepared to meet with Utusan’s biggest shareholders to give a third party’s opinion in those issues for the sake of the survival of Utusan and its staff,” it added.
NUJ accused Utusan Malaysia’s senior management of not doing anything to address the company’s financial woes.
“Besides that, the support needed from the Malays, including from government-linked companies (GLCs) and government ministries, to help Utusan is sorely lacking,” said the union.
According to NUJ, Utusan Malaysia has been recording losses since 2009 due to a drop in circulation and advertising revenue, as well as being forced to pay damages in several defamation suits that the country’s oldest Malay newspaper had lost. Opposition politicians have frequently sued Utusan Malaysia for defamation.
“In the issue of Utusan’s losses, NUJ urges Umno to allow the company’s finances to be audited by a third party to trace any wastages and mismanagement,” said the union.
