Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Lawmaker calls for government support for Utusan Malaysia staff on leave
A Member of Parliament has urged the government to assist workers at Utusan Malaysia who have been placed under a paid leave programme, citing the news organisation's historical significance during the nation's independence struggle.
LSN Malaysia ·
KUALA LUMPUR — An MP has appealed to the government to provide support for employees of Utusan Malaysia affected by a paid leave arrangement, highlighting the media organisation's pivotal contributions to Malaysia's independence movement.
Suhaizan noted in Parliament that the news organisation played a crucial role during the nation's formative years, underscoring its importance to Malaysian history and the country's press landscape.
The comments draw attention to the plight of staff members currently placed under the paid leave scheme, with the lawmaker advocating for government intervention to ease their circumstances during this period.
Utusan Malaysia, one of Malaysia's oldest Malay-language newspapers, has faced financial difficulties in recent years, leading to restructuring measures affecting its workforce. The paid leave programme represents one such cost-reduction measure implemented by the publication.
The appeal reflects broader concerns about the welfare of media workers and the sustainability of the country's press industry amid changing market conditions and economic pressures.