KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — The Human Resources Ministry said Utusan Melayu Bhd has officially notified it of its decision to cease operations today.
A ministry spokesman said Utusan chief executive Datuk Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir also confirmed the contents of a company circular issued to all employees today.
Malay Mail reported the closure based on a leaked copy of the circular this morning.
“The ministry will take all necessary action with the interim liquidator based on existing laws,” the ministry said.
It also said it will provide new information as this becomes available.
Today’s decision affects both Utusan Malaysia, the country’s oldest Malay vernacular newspaper, and the Kosmo! tabloid.
The closures leave over 800 employees without jobs.
Utusan Melayu has appointed UHY Advisory KL as its interim liquidator.
In August, the company had come close to announcing that it would cease operations before the management decided to explore other options as part of a final attempt to rescue the newspaper.
A firm linked to billionaire Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary has reportedly acquired Utusan Malaysia’s printing permit, fuelling rumours that it could hire some of the newspaper’s former employees.
