Hubbry Logo
Utusan MalaysiaUtusan MalaysiaMain
Open search
Utusan Malaysia
Community hub
Utusan Malaysia
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Utusan Malaysia
Utusan Malaysia
Utusan Malaysia
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Key Information

Utusan Malaysia (Jawi: اوتوسن مليسيا; English: The Malaysian Tribune or simply Utusan) is a Malaysian Malay language daily newspaper headquartered outside Kuala Lumpur. Formerly owned by the Utusan Group, the newspaper is currently owned by Media Mulia.

Distinctive for its blue masthead as its logo and trademark, Utusan Malaysia is the oldest Malay-language newspaper in Malaysia. It was first published in Jawi in 1939 and became an influential medium for people to voice their opinions against British colonial rule in Malaya. In 2018, the newspaper shifted its size from broadsheet to a tabloid format.

In recent years, Utusan Malaysia went through a critical business period as its daily circulation and readership continued to decline, along with the deteriorating cash flow of its former parent company.[4][5] Despite initial reports that the newspaper and its sister papers Mingguan Malaysia, Kosmo!, and Kosmo! Ahad would be shutting down in mid-August 2019, the newspaper's publisher Utusan Group announced that they would continue publishing after receiving a RM$1.6 million cash injection from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).[6][7]

Though Utusan ceased operations on 9 October 2019,[8][9][10] it was subsequently reported that the newspaper would resume publication on 1 November 2019 after Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary's Aurora Mulia acquired a majority stake in Utusan's wholly owned subsidiary Dilof Sdn Bhd.[11][12] However, the anticipated publication did not materialise. In response to the closure of the newspaper, the Minister of Entrepreneur Development, Redzuan Yusof, announced that Utusan Malaysia would come back in 2020[13] and it formally relaunched on 20 July.[14]

History

[edit]

Utusan Malaysia was first published as Utusan Melayu in 1939, with its address at Queen Street, Singapore. It was founded by Malay Union member and businessman Ambo Sooloh plus journalists Yusof Ishak and Abdul Rahim Kajai as a dedicated print owned by native Malayan Malays back when the Malay-language newspaper industry was dominated by Jawi Peranakans and Arabs (like the Alsagoffs). It temporarily suspended publication during the Japanese occupation of Malaya and Singapore, where it was merged with Warta Malaya to form Berita Malai.[15] The newspaper moved its headquarters to Cecil Street, Singapore in 1945, and in 1959 relocated to Kuala Lumpur.

In 20 July 1961, all 115 editorial staff conducted a strike in protest of the appointment of former UMNO Informations Chief Ibrahim Fikri as Utusan's new editor-in-chief replacing the incumbent Sa'ad Zahari under fears that the former would sway their editorial stance to favour his party and its Alliance coalition as a whole.[16]

1961: Rebranding

[edit]

The paper was rebranded as Utusan Malaysia started publication on 1 September 1967, being a romanised version for Utusan Melayu and daily edition of Mingguan Malaysia. Mingguan Malaysia published 3 years earlier, on 30 August 1964.

In 1997, the Group made its entry into the world of multimedia with the launch of Utusan Malaysia Online (or Utusan Online for short), Malaysia's first online newspaper in full text and visuals. The service provided, in collaboration with Telekom Malaysia, enables pay-subscribers to read exact replicas of the Group's newspapers, including Utusan Malaysia. On 2 July 2001, Utusan Education Portal (Portal Pendidikan Utusan) was launched. The free service has received recognition from MIMOS (the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems) as one of the top five education websites in Malaysia in 2001.

Eleventh logo of Utusan Malaysia, used from 16 September 2018 until 9 October 2019.

On September 16, 2018, to coincide with the 55th anniversary of Malaysia's formation, Utusan Malaysia and its Sunday edition Mingguan Malaysia shifted from broadsheet to tabloid format. Utusan reportedly said the change in size was part of their effort to fulfil the needs and taste of their readers.[17][18][19]

On February 8, 2019, Utusan is no longer under direct ownership by UMNO after 31.6 per cent stake of its parent company was acquired by Abd Aziz Sheikh Fadzir.[20]

2019: Closure

[edit]

On 19 August 2019, the Utusan Group announced that Utusan Malaysia, its Sunday paper Mingguan Malaysia, and its sister papers Kosmo! and Kosmo! Ahad would cease their print editions on 21 August 2019 due to the company's financial woes and bankruptcy. Utusan Malaysia will continue its online operations.[21][22][23] The decline of Utusan Malaysia's readership and poor financial performance has been attributed by some to its pro-Barisan Nasional and Malay nationalist standpoint.[24][25] Despite initial reports that the Utusan Malaysia would be shutting down, the Utusan Group reversed their decision after receiving a RM1.6 million cash injection from the United Malays National Organisation.[6] To cover costs, the newspaper's price will be raised by 50 sen to RM 1.50 and Mingguan Malaysia's price would be raised to RM 2.00 beginning 23 August 2019.[26][27][7]

Despite financial injection, Utusan Malaysia and its sister papers continued to suffer losses and mounting debt from decreasing circulations, and it finally shuttered on 9 October 2019.[8][9][10] On 10 October 2019, it was reported that the Utusan Group's newspapers would resume publication on 1 November 2019; however, the anticipated publication did not take place. Aurora Mulia, a company linked to business tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary which also hold a stake in Media Prima, had reportedly acquired a 70% stake in Utusan's wholly owned subsidiary Dilof Sdn Bhd. However, only some of Utusan's 862 retrenched employees would be re-hired by the new management.[11][12]

Since 2020: Revival

[edit]

In January 2020, it was reported that Utusan Malaysia, along with its sister newspaper, Kosmo! is set to be revived soon,[28] as some sources in the industry confirmed that the newspaper's new management had begun recruiting staff to start working in February.[29] The newspaper was initially expected to be relaunched in April 2020,[30] but it did not take place.

Utusan, together with Kosmo! was expected to be relaunched in July 2020. According to their website, an animated teaser, which was written in Malay, showed: "Nantikan Julai ini. Dibawakan oleh Media Mulia Sdn Bhd." ("Awaiting this July. Brought to you by Media Mulia Sdn Bhd,"). It is understood that the new headquarters of the publication will be based at the New Straits Times Press main office at Jalan Riong, Bangsar.[14][31] On July 6, it was reported that the newspaper's relaunch is expected to take place on July 20,[32][unreliable source?] and the newspaper was relaunched on July 20 with the front-page headline "Bangkit Semula", or 'Rise Again'.[33]

Headquarters

[edit]

The newspaper's first building was located at Queen Street, Singapore in 1939. In 1958, it moved to Kuala Lumpur.

A new seven-storey high office building was erected in 2010,[34][35] opposite the existing headquarters. It was built on the former site of a car park for its staff. The official move to the new Utusan Group premises took place in 2013.[36][37]

In July 2020, it has been reported that Utusan Malaysia, with several other newspapers, namely Berita Harian, Harian Metro, the New Straits Times (NST) and The Malaysian Reserve, will relocate its headquarters from Kuala Lumpur to Shah Alam, Selangor by the end of 2020 or mid-2021. The relocation was made as part of Media Prima's recovery plan to overcome financial crisis.[38]

Format

[edit]

With its distinctive blue masthead as its logo and trademark, Utusan Malaysia had over 32 pages of news and current affairs, with regular supplements, focusing on diverse topics as entertainment, fashion, music, health, technology, and politics. It was Malaysia's only broadsheet newspaper in a national language until 16 September 2018, when it switched to the tabloid newspaper format.

Mingguan Malaysia, Utusan's weekend edition, had a red masthead. Sections such as Pancawarna and Pancaindera (entertainment section) are published in tabloid size, rather than broadsheet.

Circulation

[edit]

Utusan Malaysia's circulation peaked at 350,000 copies a day in the 1990s and was one of the top selling newspapers in Malaysia. Circulation had declined by about 250,000 in 2004 and further down to 144,438 copies in first half of 2016.[39] Mingguan Malaysia, the Sunday edition of Utusan Malaysia, had a circulation of 313,495 on first half of 2016, which made it the most popular Malay language newspaper.[39]

Achievements

[edit]
Date Achievement
9 February 1965 Utusan's headquarters new extra building in Jalan Chan Sow Lin opened by Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's first prime minister.
22 June 1972 Malaysia's second prime minister, Abdul Razak Hussein, opened an extra block of new offices in Utusan's headquarters in Jalan Chan Sow Lin.
5 December 1988 Launch of World Sepak Takraw Championships organised with RTM and Malaysia Airlines, to promote sepak takraw alongside other popular sports.
21 May 1989 Utusan's Mini-Marathon organised to celebrate 50th anniversary of this newspaper has been followed by 11,000 participant, with that recorded the highest number of participants ever found in any marathon in the country.
2 May 1991 The opening of Utusan's printing plant in Gong Badak was officiated by Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, the Sultan of Trengganu Darul Iman.
17 January 1996 Utusan Malaysia became the first Malaysian newspaper with full visuals and text to get onto the Information Superhighway when it launched "Utusan Malaysia On-Line" in four languages. Utusan Express, the electronic newspaper in English, was launched on 19 September 1996.
23 May 1997 Utusan is the first media group to organise an expedition that garnered the country global recognition. In true spirit of Malaysia Boleh, "The Project Malaysia - Everest 97", which was in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth & Sports, has made it possible for Malaysians to conquer the world's highest mountain.
8 November 2007 During the Deepavali celebrations in Malaysia, Utusan sold about 370,586 copies, and Kosmo! sold about 162,935 copies. Only three newspapers were published, including Chinese-language newspaper, Oriental Daily News.

Criticism

[edit]

Malay supremacism

[edit]

Utusan frequently stoked racist sentiments with provocative headlines championing the Dasar Ekonomi Baru and Ketuanan Melayu.[40][41][42]

Just one day after the 2013 general elections, in which the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition suffered what was until then its worst-ever results, Utusan published a highly racist feature article with the headline "Apa lagi Cina mahu?" ("What else do the Chinese want?") accusing Chinese Malaysians of trying to overthrow the Malay-dominated government and labelling them "ungrateful".[43] Third-party analysts have noted that the massive electoral swing could be attributed to urban votes of all races deserting the ruling coalition wholesale, rather than pinpointed to any particular race.[44] Despite Prime Minister Najib Razak's defence of the newspaper, Utusan earned widespread condemnation from Malaysians for its unapologetic race-baiting.

In view of Utusan's extreme racist rhetoric, the former Opposition-led Perak state government staged a boycott against the newspaper, with other Opposition states following suit. A motion was also set by the Selangor state government to boycott Utusan while all Selangor state agencies and departments were told to refrain from buying and advertising in the newspaper, in a move to protest a short story titled "Politik Baru YB J" by columnist Datuk Chamil Wariya that appeared in the paper which mentioned the assassination of a fictional character resembling Democratic Action Party assemblywoman Teresa Kok.[45]

Statements by Chief Ministers in then Opposition-held states were out of context, manipulated, or otherwise downright fabricated.[46]

In January 2011, the newspaper suspended a senior journalist, Hata Wahari, president of the National Union of Journalists, after alleging that Hata had brought the newspaper into disrepute and "insulted" its management.[47] Hata was later dismissed from the Utusan group in May of that year. On 20 May 2013, Hata staged a one-man protest in front of the Utusan Melayu headquarters, calling for an end to "irresponsible journalism" and "racist reporting". He was consequently jeered and labelled a "communist" by the Utusan staff gathered there, who also hurled two packets of fried bihun at him.[48]

Accusations of propaganda

[edit]

The newspaper has been accused as being a propaganda mouthpiece of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) government as well as inciting racial hatred in its articles against the non-Malays of the country.[49] The widely perceived view by most Malaysians that Utusan Malaysia was nothing more than a propaganda newsletter for the ruling government was given much greater credence after its deputy chief editor Zaini Hassan openly stated in a forum organised by the National Civics Bureau that it was acceptable for Utusan to "spin facts" to be "biased in our [the BN Government's] favour". The Malaysiakini reporter covering the forum was later barred from attending.[50]

Fake news

[edit]

Utusan offered an apology after running news of an 87-year-old Catholic missionary in Java who purportedly converted to Islam after recovering from a coma. It later turned out that the article was sourced from a fictional news story on a satirical website, the World News Daily Report.[51]

Lawsuits

[edit]

Numerous lawsuits were filed against Utusan by several personalities from the former Pakatan Rakyat coalition. Notably, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng successfully sued for libel twice against the paper, winning RM400,000 in accumulated damages for both lawsuits.[52][53]

On 14 December 2012, Karpal Singh was awarded RM50,000 in damages after a High Court judge declared that an Utusan article painting him as anti-Islam was "by all accounts mischievous".[54]

On 21 January 2013, the High Court awarded Anwar Ibrahim RM45,000 in damages after a series of Utusan articles deliberately misrepresented his statement in a BBC interview so as to suggest that the opposition leader was pro-LGBT (a controversial stance in Muslim-majority Malaysia). The paper's lawyer triggered significant uproar during proceedings when he argued that newspapers did not have the "luxury of time" to ascertain the truth of their reports.[55][56][57][58]

On 30 March 2016, celebrity and infotainer AC Mizal filed a lawsuit against Utusan for the paper's article entitled 'Peace Yall FM tak bayar gaji' ("Peace Yall FM doesn't pay salaries") which pointing his company for their irresponsibility to their workers. In November, the lawsuit failed to be resolved.[59]

Awards and recognition

[edit]

Utusan won the "IFRA Publish Asia 2003 Award" for the "Best in Print" category on 20 March 2002. It was the first international-level award to be won by the newspaper.

In 2014, it won two awards in Johor Media Awards 2014.[60]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Utusan Malaysia

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

is a Malay-language daily in , originally founded as Utusan Melayu on 29 May 1939 by a group of Malay individuals including , who later became Singapore's first president, marking it as the first fully owned by Malays during British colonial rule. The publication played a pivotal role in fostering Malay nationalism and anti-colonial sentiment prior to independence, evolving into a staunch supporter of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and the coalition, frequently advocating for policies centered on Malay primacy such as the . Throughout its history, Utusan Malaysia has been notable for its unapologetic promotion of (Malay supremacy), which drew persistent criticism for inciting ethnic divisions and racial animosities through provocative editorials and headlines that prioritized Malay interests over multicultural harmony. This partisan stance, while aligning it closely with ruling Malay-centric politics, contributed to its reputation as a tool for political rather than impartial , including instances of losses and boycotts by opposition-led states. Financial viability became untenable after UMNO's electoral defeat in , leading to a abrupt cessation of operations in October 2019, which affected over 800 employees, though it was revived in 2020 under new ownership by Media Mulia Sdn Bhd and now operates primarily in digital and limited print formats.

History

Founding and Early Years (1939–1957)

Utusan Melayu was established on 29 May 1939 in as the first newspaper fully owned and operated by ethnic Malays, marking a shift from prior Malay-language publications controlled by Arab or Indian Muslim proprietors. The initiative originated in 1938 among members of the Singapore Malay Union, who formed Utusan Melayu Press Ltd on 15 June 1938 with an initial capital of $2,000, raised through exclusive sales of shares to Malays, though fundraising proved challenging and required personal contributions exceeding $8,000 from figures like Daud bin Mohd Shah and Haji Embok Suloh. Key founders included Yusof bin Ishak, who assessed the project's feasibility and later served as 's first president, and Abdul Rahim Kajai, the inaugural editor recognized as the father of Malay journalism for his advocacy of Malay socio-economic progress. The first issue, printed in at 64 Queen Street with a run of 1,000 copies, quickly adjusted to 600 amid initial financial strains before stabilizing at 1,000 by late 1939 and reaching 1,800 by 1941. The publication's early editorial focus centered on advancing Malay interests, emphasizing economic welfare, , and community upliftment in service of bangsa (nation), agama (religion), and watan (homeland), while maintaining a Malay-centric perspective with moderate on Islamic issues. It subscribed to international news agencies for broader coverage and expanded operations with the launch of the monthly magazine on 1 June 1941. Under editors like Kajai, it critiqued colonial policies and championed native Malay empowerment, fostering a platform for voicing grievances against British rule in Malaya. Operations halted during the and Malaya from 1942 to 1945, when the paper merged with Warta Malaya and was repurposed as Berita Malai, an official organ disseminating Japanese propaganda under military administration. Post-liberation, it resumed publication on 10 September 1945, shortly after British forces returned, relocating its office to 185 Cecil Street and introducing the afternoon edition Utusan Zaman on 1 August 1947. In the , under editorial leadership including Dato' Onn bin Jaafar and Syed Hussain Alatas, it adopted stronger anti-British positions, supported the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), and advocated socialist measures for Malay development amid independence negotiations, with UMNO securing majority shareholding by 1956 and prompting a headquarters move to that year. This period solidified its influence in galvanizing Malay nationalism leading into Malaya's independence on 31 August 1957.

Post-Independence Expansion and Rebranding (1957–1961)

Following Malaya's independence on 31 August 1957, Utusan Melayu pursued territorial and operational expansion to align with the new nation's political landscape. In , the newspaper completed its relocation of headquarters from 's Cecil Street to , transforming the Singapore office into a branch and issuing new shares in 1956 to finance the Kuala Lumpur setup. This move centralized operations in the Malayan federation's capital, enhancing distribution efficiency and proximity to the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which had long supported the publication's Malay nationalist stance. By , daily circulation reached 30,000 copies, while its weekly edition Utusan Zaman achieved 35,000, reflecting growing readership amid post-independence drives and the newspaper's advocacy for Malay interests under the government's policies. Ownership transitions during this era reinforced Utusan Melayu's reorientation toward Malayan sovereignty. In 1959, founder resigned as managing director and sold his shares to , who transferred them to UMNO Youth leader and , thereby deepening the party's control and distancing the paper from its roots. This shift symbolized a in editorial focus, emphasizing federation-wide issues over pan-Malayan ones like Melayu Raya, and positioned Utusan Melayu as a key voice for Bumiputera empowerment in the independent state. Tensions over this realignment surfaced in 1961 when UMNO appointed Ibrahim Fikri as chief editor and managing director, prompting a three-month strike by 135 employees, including 20 in , who protested the politicization of . The dispute underscored the paper's evolving role as a government-aligned organ, with UMNO's influence ensuring coverage supportive of national unity policies, even as circulation growth indicated sustained public engagement with its content. These developments laid groundwork for further , culminating in later name changes to reflect Malaysia's formation in 1963.

Period of Dominance and Influence (1961–2018)

Following the July 21, 1961, strike by approximately 115 staff members protesting management decisions perceived as compromising editorial independence, Utusan Malaysia transitioned toward closer alignment with United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) interests, marking the onset of its extended period of dominance in Malay-language journalism. The strike, which involved staff camping outside the newspaper's premises after the building was locked, highlighted tensions between its earlier independent stance—rooted in anti-colonial advocacy—and emerging pro-government pressures, ultimately reinforcing UMNO's influence over its operations. This era saw Utusan establish itself as the premier voice for Malay and bumiputera concerns, prioritizing coverage of ethnic rights, Islamic values, and national development under Barisan Nasional (BN) administrations. Circulation expanded significantly during the late , reflecting its broad appeal among the Malay community amid Malaysia's and affirmative action policies like the (NEP) introduced in 1971. By the 1990s, daily sales peaked at 350,000 copies, positioning it as one of Malaysia's largest-selling newspapers and a key medium for disseminating government-aligned narratives on economic progress and Malay empowerment. The newspaper's public listing on the Malaysian in 1994 further institutionalized its operations, enabling infrastructure investments that sustained its reach until circulation began declining in the due to digital competition and shifting readership habits. Utusan wielded substantial political influence by functioning as a de facto mouthpiece for UMNO, shaping public opinion on sensitive issues like racial equity and , often framing opposition critiques as threats to Malay dominance. Its editorial stance supported BN in multiple general elections, including robust backing during Mahathir Mohamad's long premiership (1981–2003), where it promoted policies favoring bumiputera economic participation and defended against perceived liberal encroachments. However, this alignment drew accusations of bias and incitement, exemplified by the 2012 headline "Apa Lagi Cina Mahu?" ("What More Do the Chinese Want?"), which critics linked to exacerbating ethnic tensions post-election. Despite such controversies, Utusan's focus on communal interests maintained its sway over core Malay audiences until UMNO's 2018 electoral defeat eroded its financial and ideological footing.

Decline, Closure, and Financial Challenges (2019)

Utusan Melayu () Bhd, publisher of Utusan Malaysia, announced the cessation of operations on October 9, 2019, following the board's decision for voluntary due to insurmountable debts and inability to pay employee salaries. The closure affected approximately 800 staff members, who were dismissed without immediate severance, exacerbating personal financial hardships amid months of delayed wages. Financial distress had mounted prior to the shutdown, with the company reporting a cumulative net loss of RM12.09 million for the first half of and a 56% plunge in to RM52.66 million, driven by declining circulation and income. In the second quarter ended June 30, , net losses reached RM3.89 million, while total debts stood at RM139 million, including unpaid salaries since June. Efforts to mitigate the crisis, such as a 50 sen increase in cover price in August and the sale of 70% shares in subsidiary Dilof Sdn Bhd to an entity linked to Bhd, failed to stabilize . suspended trading in Utusan Melayu shares effective August 28, , signaling impending insolvency. The decline accelerated after the coalition's defeat in the May 2018 general election, severing traditional financial support from its long-time patron, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which had historically subsidized operations through advertising and indirect funding. Circulation had been eroding since 2004 due to competition from and shifting reader preferences, but post-election political isolation compounded revenue shortfalls, with liabilities estimated at RM335 million against RM190 million in assets by late 2019. Staff protests in August 2019 outside the headquarters demanded three months' back pay, highlighting operational paralysis as printing continued only through external arrangements. Overall, the shutdown reflected broader vulnerabilities in print media reliant on partisan backing amid economic pressures and technological disruption.

Digital Revival and Adaptation (2020–Present)

Following its abrupt closure on October 9, 2019, amid mounting financial losses that led to over 800 job cuts, Utusan Malaysia was acquired by Media Mulia Sdn Bhd, a company linked to Malaysian tycoon , and relaunched on July 20, 2020, alongside sister publication Kosmo!. The revival prioritized to address the decline in print viability, with operations shifting toward an online-first model via the utusan.com.my portal, which provides real-time updates on national and international , , , , , and . Media Mulia, as the publisher and permit holder for digital and social media channels, integrated content delivery to sustain readership amid rising internet penetration in , where digital ad spending overtook traditional formats starting in 2020. Adaptation efforts included expanding engagement and mobile-optimized content to counter competition from established digital platforms, though challenges persisted in monetization and audience retention against " behemoths" dominating online traffic. By 2025, Media Mulia launched Arah, a consolidated digital hub aggregating Utusan Malaysia's output with other group titles like Mingguan Malaysia and Kosmo!, aiming to streamline access and boost cross-platform visibility for users seeking Malay-language content. This digital pivot has enabled Utusan to maintain its focus on Bumiputera-centric reporting while navigating economic pressures, including volatile advertising revenues and the need for technological upgrades in a market where has eroded traditional news consumption.

Ownership and Operations

Ownership Transitions

Utusan Melayu was established on 29 May 1939 in as the first Malay-language newspaper owned, financed, and managed by Malays, with —later 's first president—and figures such as Abdul Rahim Kajai among its founders. Initially published in as a weekly, it transitioned to daily publication in 1946 under private Malay ownership focused on issues. In the 1950s, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) began acquiring a controlling stake in Utusan, culminating in a full takeover in the early 1960s amid resistance from the editorial team that sparked a from 21 July to 21 October 1961. The newspaper, rebranded as Utusan Malaysia after Malaysian independence, operated under UMNO-linked parent company Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd for decades, aligning its editorial direction with the party's interests. Following UMNO's electoral defeat in May 2018, financial pressures mounted, leading to a partial divestment on 8 February 2019 when 31.6 percent of the parent company's stake was sold to former UMNO MP Abd Aziz Sheikh Fadzir, ending direct party control. Operations halted in October 2019 due to insurmountable debts and voluntary liquidation of the holding company, though printing licenses were transferred to Aurora Mulia Sdn Bhd. Utusan relaunched in July 2020 under Media Mulia Sdn Bhd, owned 70 percent by Aurora Mulia—a firm tied to tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary, Malaysia's largest media shareholder via stakes in entities like Media Prima. This shift marked a move from political party ownership to private business interests, with Aurora Mulia retaining its majority stake as of 2024.

Headquarters and Infrastructure

The headquarters of Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Berhad, the former operating entity for Utusan Malaysia, was situated at No. 44, Jalan Utusan, off Jalan Chan Sow Lin, in the 55200 postal district of . This location, in the industrial area, housed administrative and editorial functions and was designed to consolidate operations across printing, publishing, and related subsidiaries. The building featured modern office infrastructure adapted for media workflows, including newsrooms and management facilities, supporting the newspaper's peak operations until financial challenges led to proceedings in 2019. Utusan Malaysia's printing infrastructure historically comprised four main plants across to facilitate broad distribution: the Sri Utusan complex in Bangi (central region, equipped with advanced presses launched in the late 20th century), another in (central), (northern region), and Sri Utusan in (southern region). These facilities utilized technology capable of high-volume color production, enabling daily runs that peaked at over 300,000 copies in earlier decades. Post-2019 closure of print editions, the printing permits and assets were transferred to entities like Aurora Mulia, with plants repurposed for third-party jobs, including titles from other publishers. Following the digital revival in 2020 under new ownership by Media Mulia, physical operations consolidated at shared facilities, including an office at the Press (Balai Berita) in , emphasizing reduced infrastructure needs for online publishing, content management systems, and digital distribution servers rather than traditional presses. This shift prioritized cost efficiency, with minimal public disclosure of exact current site details beyond general basing.

Publication Format and Technological Shifts

Utusan Malaysia initially launched as Utusan Melayu on 29 May 1939 in Jawi script, serving as Malaysia's first Malay-owned newspaper and focusing on weekly publication to reach a Malay readership during British colonial rule. By the post-independence period, it evolved into a daily broadsheet titled Utusan Malaysia in 1967, adopting the Rumi (Latin) script to broaden accessibility amid rising literacy in romanized Malay and align with national standardization efforts under the Bahasa Malaysia policy. This shift from Jawi to Rumi reflected broader technological and educational trends in Malaysia, where romanized printing presses became more efficient and cost-effective for mass production, though Jawi persisted in supplementary publications like the weekly Utusan Melayu. In September 2018, facing rising production costs and declining print revenues, Utusan Malaysia transitioned its Sunday edition Mingguan Malaysia to a compact tabloid format, followed by the daily edition, reducing paper usage by approximately 40% while maintaining content depth to appeal to urban readers preferring portability. This format change preceded the newspaper's abrupt print cessation in October 2019 due to financial under Kumpulan Utusan, which owed creditors over RM400 million and could no longer sustain operations amid competition from free digital alternatives. The closure highlighted vulnerabilities in legacy print infrastructure, including high costs for newsprint imports and distribution in a market shifting toward online consumption. Under new ownership by Media Mulia Sdn Bhd, Utusan Malaysia resumed print publication on 20 July 2020 at a cover price of RM2, retaining the tabloid format alongside a bolstered digital platform at utusan.com.my, which had been established in as an early foray into online dissemination. This hybrid model incorporated technological adaptations such as mobile-responsive and integration to capture younger demographics, though remained limited compared to pre-2019 peaks of over 300,000 copies daily. By 2025, ongoing digital enhancements included video content and app-based delivery, reflecting industry-wide pressures from algorithmic feeds and ad revenue migration to platforms like and Meta, which captured over 60% of 's digital advertising spend since 2020. These shifts underscore Utusan Malaysia's pragmatic response to causal factors like penetration exceeding 90% in and reader preferences for instant, device-agnostic access over physical editions. Utusan Malaysia's print circulation peaked at approximately 350,000 copies per day during its period of dominance in the late , reflecting strong readership among Malay-speaking audiences. By 2002, audited figures from the Audit Bureau of Circulations reported daily circulation at 239,385 copies, indicating early signs of stagnation amid rising competition from English-language dailies and emerging . Circulation further declined to 250,000 copies by 2004, followed by a sharper drop to 144,438 copies in 2016, as younger demographics shifted toward online news platforms and . This downward trend accelerated in the due to structural economic pressures on the print industry, including reduced advertising revenues as brands migrated to digital channels offering targeted, lower-cost options. Utusan's close ties to the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) exacerbated vulnerabilities; following UMNO's electoral defeat in the 2018 , the lost key government-linked advertising contracts and subsidies that had previously buffered operational costs. Combined with rising production expenses—such as newsprint and distribution—and a broader Malaysian market contraction, these factors led to mounting debts exceeding operational cash flows. By 2019, daily circulation had fallen below viable thresholds for profitability, contributing to cumulative losses that prompted the abrupt cessation of print operations on , affecting over 800 employees. The closure highlighted systemic challenges in Malaysia's media sector, where print ad revenues declined amid a global shift: U.S. newspapers, for comparison, saw average daily circulation drop 8% annually in 2018-2019 due to similar digital disruptions. Post-closure digital revival in under new ownership focused on online metrics like page views rather than print sales, though specific figures remain limited and reflect a pivot away from traditional circulation models.

Editorial Stance and Content

Focus on Malay and Bumiputera Interests

Utusan Melayu, the precursor to Utusan Malaysia, was established on 24 July 1939 in as a Jawi-script explicitly dedicated to advancing Malay interests amid colonial rule and growing ethnic tensions. It positioned itself as a platform for Malay , publishing articles that emphasized the preservation of Malay , , and against perceived threats from immigrant communities and British policies. This advocacy extended to economic grievances, highlighting Malay underrepresentation in and , and calling for affirmative measures to empower the community pre-independence. Post-1957 independence, Utusan continued to champion Bumiputera—encompassing Malays and indigenous groups—interests by endorsing constitutional provisions granting Malays special in land reservation, public service quotas, and education. Under United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) influence following its 1961 acquisition of a controlling stake in Utusan Melayu Press, the publication aligned its editorials with policies like the (NEP) of 1971, which targeted 30% Bumiputera ownership in corporate equity and prioritized indigenous participation in key economic sectors to address historical imbalances. Journalists' strikes in 1961 protested this takeover, viewing it as subordinating independent Malay advocacy to party , yet the newspaper retained its role in mobilizing support for Bumiputera upliftment. In editorial content, Utusan frequently critiqued perceived dilutions of Malay privileges, such as challenges to Malay-reserved or quota systems, framing them as existential threats to Bumiputera dominance. For instance, in , its editor warned that concessions on racial classifications could precipitate demands to abolish Bumiputera protections, urging Malays to safeguard amid opposition calls for needs-based reforms. This stance drew defenses from Malay rulers, including the Perak Sultan in 2016, who described Utusan as a non-racist defender of Bumiputera against "subversive activities" eroding constitutional safeguards. Even as circulation declined by the , its coverage persisted in highlighting economic disparities, with data showing Bumiputera equity at around 20-25% despite NEP targets, reinforcing arguments for sustained intervention. Utusan's focus extended to cultural and religious dimensions, promoting Islamic values intertwined with Malay identity to bolster Bumiputera cohesion, as seen in its environmental reporting linking stewardship duties to indigenous heritage. This editorial emphasis, while rooted in empirical post-colonial inequities—Malays comprising 50-60% of the yet holding minimal urban economic control in the —has been critiqued for prioritizing ethnic advocacy over broader national integration, though its proponents cite causal links between such policies and reduced absolute rates among Bumiputera from 49% in to under 10% by 2010.

Political Alignments and Influences

Utusan Malaysia maintained a strong alignment with the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and the (BN) coalition throughout much of its history, functioning as a key proponent of Malay-centric policies and government agendas. Ownership ties to UMNO-linked entities, including partial stakes held by the party, reinforced this connection, enabling the newspaper to serve as an informal mouthpiece for ruling coalition interests. Its editorial content consistently emphasized (Malay supremacy), framing political discourse around the preservation of Malay rights and privileges under the Malaysian Constitution's bumiputera provisions, often critiquing opposition movements perceived as threats to ethnic Malay dominance. The newspaper's stance was notably influenced by prominent UMNO leaders, particularly during Mahathir Mohamad's premiership from 1981 to 2003, where editorials reflected Mahathirist ideologies such as pragmatic and assertive Malay empowerment. Utusan editors openly acknowledged UMNO's role in shaping coverage, positioning the publication as transparently partisan in contrast to other media outlets that masked similar influences. This alignment extended to defending BN governments against scandals, such as the 1MDB controversy, by attributing criticisms to external or non-Malay conspiracies, thereby sustaining reader loyalty among conservative Malay audiences. Following BN's defeat in the 2018 general election, Utusan's pro-UMNO orientation contributed to its financial decline, as advertisers and subscribers shifted toward outlets aligned with the incoming government; circulation dropped sharply from over 300,000 daily copies in the 2000s to unsustainable levels by 2019. In its digital revival from 2020, the retained a critical stance toward non-UMNO administrations, advocating for Malay unity and opposing reforms seen as diluting ethnic quotas in and , though with moderated to adapt to a pluralistic online environment. This persistence of ideological influences underscores Utusan's role in perpetuating UMNO's narrative of ethnic safeguarding amid Malaysia's polarized .

Journalistic Approaches and Standards

Utusan Malaysia's journalistic approach was characterized by development journalism principles prevalent in Malaysian media, prioritizing narratives, support for government-led socioeconomic policies, and advocacy for Malay and Bumiputera interests over adversarial scrutiny. This involved framing stories to reinforce ethnic harmony under the , often emphasizing threats to Malay privileges in coverage of interethnic tensions, such as the 2007 movement, where 59.39% of articles employed conflict frames depicting the group as undermining national unity and relying on sources in 61.21% of reports. Reporting practices included heavy dependence on official government and police perspectives, minimizing opposition viewpoints to align with the newspaper's pro-UMNO editorial line during its ownership by the party-linked Utusan Melayu (M) Berhad. In terms of standards, Utusan journalists operated under the Malaysian National Union of Journalists' , which mandates accuracy, fairness, , and harm minimization, but implementation was constrained by ownership influences and internal directives known as "wahyu," compelling coverage of politically favored topics regardless of newsworthiness. Interviews with Utusan reporters revealed routine to avoid criticizing the former government, driven by professional gratitude and access preservation, resulting in selective reporting that downplayed opposition achievements while amplifying misdeeds. Objectivity was further compromised by partisan framing in coverage and policy debates, where narratives favored the ruling coalition, as evidenced in post-2008 analyses showing alignment with UMNO preferences over balanced discourse. Post-closure revival in digital formats retained elements of this approach, with continued emphasis on but reduced overt directives following ownership changes, though legacy biases persisted in source selection and tone. Critics, including political figures, accused the outlet of distorting facts to serve agendas, such as misrepresenting views to inflame ethnic divides, underscoring a practice where loyalty to proprietors superseded strict neutrality.

Contributions and Impact

Awards, Recognitions, and Milestones

Utusan Malaysia traces its origins to July 24, 1939, when it was founded as Utusan Melayu in by , who later became Singapore's first president, marking it as the oldest continuously published Malay-language daily newspaper in the region. Initially published in , the newspaper transitioned to script in , adapting to broader literacy trends while maintaining its focus on Malay community issues. It played a pivotal role in chronicling Malaysia's path to , serving as a platform for anti-colonial sentiments and national discourse, with its coverage of key events earning it recognition as a historical record of the nation's formative years. A significant operational milestone occurred on February 9, 1965, when its new headquarters building in Jalan Chan Sow Lin, , was officially opened by , Malaysia's first prime minister, symbolizing its growing institutional stature. The operated for 80 years until ceasing print operations on October 9, 2019, amid financial difficulties that led to over 800 staff redundancies, representing a major turning point in its history. It was revived under new ownership by Media Mulia Sdn. Bhd., resuming publication in digital and limited print formats by late 2019, with full operations stabilizing by July 2020, demonstrating resilience in a shifting media landscape. In terms of awards, Utusan Malaysia received the IFRA Publish Asia 2003 Award for "Best in Print" on March 20, 2002, the first international accolade for a Malaysian in that category, recognizing excellence in printing technology and production quality. More recently, in 2023, it won the Rencana Terbaik Media Cetak (Best Print Media Article) at the health tourism media awards for outstanding coverage in that sector. In October 2025, staff from Utusan Malaysia secured victories in the Anugerah Media 2025, including awards for Best Malay-Language Print News and Best Print Journalist, highlighting continued journalistic contributions at the state level. These recognitions underscore its periodic excellence amid broader challenges in the industry.

Role in Shaping Public Discourse and National Identity

Utusan Malaysia, founded on 24 July 1939 by Dr. and Abdul Rahim Kajai, emerged as a key platform for anti-colonial sentiment, amplifying calls for Malayan from British rule through editorials and reports that mobilized Malay intellectuals and the against policies like the of 1946. Its coverage during the pre- era, including advocacy for unified Malay resistance, helped forge a collective nationalist consciousness among the Malay community, positioning the as a voice for and cultural preservation amid ethnic pluralism. Post-1957 , it sustained this momentum by chronicling events, such as the formation of in 1963, and promoting through narratives that intertwined Malay heritage with the federation's constitutional framework. In shaping public discourse, Utusan Malaysia consistently emphasized a homogenous Malay identity as the bedrock of national cohesion, portraying Malays as the indigenous stewards of the land with inherent rights under Article 153 of the Constitution, which safeguards bumiputera privileges in education, economy, and administration. This framing often invoked Ketuanan Melayu—Malay political and cultural dominance—as essential to counter perceived threats from non-Malay economic influence, using dichotomies of "us" (Malays/bumiputera) versus "them" (other ethnic groups) to rally support for policies like the New Economic Policy of 1971, which aimed to elevate bumiputera socioeconomic status. Such rhetoric normalized ethnic-centric debates in mainstream Malay media, influencing UMNO-aligned viewpoints and public sentiment during elections, as seen in its 2013 coverage that heightened racial anxieties to defend status quo power structures. The newspaper's enduring impact on national identity lay in reinforcing Malaysia's foundational bargain—a Malay-led federation where Islam, the Malay language, and monarchy define the civic core—while marginalizing alternative multicultural visions like Bangsa Malaysia. By prioritizing bumiputera advocacy over inclusive narratives, it contributed to polarized discourse on , sustaining debates on racial quotas and that persist in Malaysian society, though critics argue this entrenched ethnic silos rather than bridging them. Its initial independence from direct political control allowed broader intellectual engagement, launching figures like Ishak Haji Muhamad who later shaped governmental thought, but alignment with ruling coalitions amplified its role in legitimizing state-sanctioned identity constructs.

Controversies

Claims of Bias and Government Propaganda

Utusan Malaysia has long faced allegations of serving as a outlet for the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and the (BN) coalition, which dominated Malaysian from independence until 2018. Critics, including opposition figures and , have characterized it as UMNO's de mouthpiece, prioritizing partisan advocacy over objective . This perception stems from its historical ownership ties to UMNO-affiliated entities, such as Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Berhad, which aligned the paper's editorial line with the party's Malay-centric . In August 2012, Utusan's group , Abdul Aziz Ishak, explicitly acknowledged the newspaper's lack of balanced political coverage, stating it did not pretend to be impartial. This admission fueled claims of , particularly during election campaigns where content analyses revealed disproportionate positive framing of BN candidates and leaders compared to opposition figures. For instance, a study of coverage during the 2008 and subsequent by-elections found Utusan favoring UMNO through selective reporting and argumentative editorials that reinforced ruling narratives. Government support mechanisms have intensified accusations of . In November 2013, Deputy Finance Minister directed government-linked companies (GLCs) to increase in Utusan to bolster its finances, a move interpreted as subsidizing a pro-BN voice amid declining circulation. During high-profile events like the 2010 sodomy trial of opposition leader , Utusan published graphic, partisan imagery that described as emblematic of bias in government-aligned media. Such instances, coupled with the paper's closure in 2019 amid UMNO's electoral losses, underscored its interdependence with the party's political ecosystem rather than commercial viability. Opposition-leaning outlets like , while credible for documenting partisan excesses due to their adversarial stance against BN, have highlighted Utusan's role in amplifying inflammatory rhetoric to defend ruling interests, though these claims warrant cross-verification against the paper's self-admitted editorial slant. International observers, including Singapore's to in 2017, have criticized Utusan for inaccuracies and misrepresentations that aligned with domestic political agendas. Despite these controversies, defenders argue the paper's focus reflected genuine advocacy for Malay interests in a multi-ethnic society, not mere , though empirical evidence of unbalanced output predominates in analyses.

Instances of Alleged Fake News and Sensationalism

In October 2014, Utusan Malaysia published an article claiming that an 87-year-old Spanish Catholic priest, Eduardo Vincenzo Maria Gomez, stationed in , , had awakened from a 17-month , experienced a vision from , converted to , and influenced half of his Christian followers to consider doing the same after falling from a two-storey building due to . The story originated from , a self-described that labels its content as fictitious. Two days later, on , Utusan issued a public apology in its online edition, acknowledging the report as untrue, expressing regret for any confusion caused to readers, and removing the article from its site. On October 12, 2007, Utusan Malaysia ran a report portraying Rosli Dahlan as a Singaporean attorney who had concealed RM27 million in assets belonging to senior Datuk Ramli Yusuff, allegedly breaching legal obligations by refusing to declare them and deceiving the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) during investigations. The claims were later proven false following Dahlan's acquittal and demonstration of his cooperation with authorities. In 2015, as part of a RM48 million settlement, Utusan published an unconditional apology in the , retracting the allegations, affirming Dahlan's innocence, and admitting the original coverage exceeded ethical journalistic standards through sensationalization. A prior apology had been issued in 2008. Critics, including outlets, have accused Utusan of contributing to ecosystems, such as in January 2017 when it was cited alongside other publications for disseminating unverified claims amid government warnings against propagation. Such incidents have fueled broader allegations of , particularly in politically charged reporting, where headlines and framing were said to prioritize drama over verification, though Utusan has maintained these as isolated errors rather than systemic issues.

Debates on Racial Advocacy Versus Supremacism

Utusan Malaysia's advocacy for (Malay preeminence) and Bumiputera privileges has fueled debates over whether such coverage defends constitutionally protected interests or fosters ethnic supremacism by portraying non-Malays as existential threats to Malay dominance. Article 153 of the Malaysian Federal Constitution explicitly safeguards the special position of Malays and natives of and through reservations in , education, and economic policies like the (NEP), implemented since 1971 to address historical socioeconomic disparities post-colonial rule. Supporters within UMNO-aligned circles argue that Utusan's reporting, including headlines like " Tercabar" (Malay Supremacy Challenged), mobilizes Malays against perceived erosions of these rights amid rising non-Malay political influence after the 2008 general election, where opposition gains reduced Barisan Nasional's . Critics, including (DAP) leaders, contend that Utusan's rhetoric crosses into supremacism by framing non-Malay demands for equality—such as merit-based university admissions or —as aggressive encroachments, exemplified by articles decrying non-Malays' "lack of respect" for Bumiputera status and urging Malay unity against "stronger demands from other races." In , following UMNO's weakened electoral performance, Utusan published pieces like "Bangkitlah Melayu – Bersatu hadapi tuntutan kaum lain yang makin kuat" (Rise, Malays – Unite to Face Demands from Other Races Growing Stronger), which DAP condemned as inflammatory race-baiting rather than reasoned policy discourse. Such coverage, opponents argue, perpetuates a zero-sum ethnic paradigm, contrasting with constitutional framers' intent for as temporary redress, not perpetual dominance, and has been linked to heightened interethnic tensions, including during the 2013 COMANGO forum where Utusan portrayed critics as undermining Malay-Islamic . Defenders, including Malay intellectuals and UMNO figures, maintain that Utusan's stance reflects empirical realities of Malay underrepresentation in corporate ownership—estimated at under 20% despite comprising over 60% of the population—and counters opposition narratives dismissing as outdated, as evidenced by Tengku Faris's 2013 Utusan interview warning of non-Malay dominance in politics and economy. Even the , in 2016 remarks before Utusan's closure, expressed regret over Malay elites abandoning the paper, viewing it as a bulwark for interests amid globalization's pressures. However, internal Malay has emerged, with some arguing that Utusan's approach alienated moderate voices and failed to address socioeconomic failures like persistent rates among Malays exceeding 20% in certain states, prioritizing rhetorical supremacy over substantive upliftment. The debate intensified post-2018, as Utusan's pro-UMNO alignment clashed with shifting public discourse favoring ketuanan rakyat (people's supremacy) over race-based paradigms, yet empirical data from household income surveys show Bumiputera policies have narrowed ethnic gaps—Malay mean income rising 5.9% annually from 2016-2019—lending credence to claims of effective , though critics highlight persistent absolute inequalities and the risk of policy entrenchment breeding dependency. Sources critiquing Utusan often stem from opposition-leaning outlets like DAP statements, reflecting partisan incentives to undermine UMNO hegemony, while pro-Utusan views align with establishment narratives emphasizing constitutional fidelity over egalitarian ideals that could dilute founding compromises.

Key Lawsuits and Judicial Outcomes

In 2014, DAP parliamentary leader succeeded in a suit against , with the finding the liable for articles that falsely accused him of collaborating with communists and undermining . The following year, on October 20, 2015, the ruled in favor of PKR leader Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a separate action, ordering Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd to pay RM200,000 in damages for an article alleging Anwar's involvement in destabilizing activities linked to foreign influences; the court emphasized the lack of apology or retraction as aggravating factors in assessing injury to reputation. Utusan faced further liability in a 2007 defamation trial brought by activist Irene Fernandez, who claimed the newspaper's articles portrayed her as a reckless threat to national interests through her advocacy; the examined the imputations of treasonous conduct but ultimately assessed defenses of fair comment and , though specific damages were not detailed in primary judgments. In November 2018, won damages of RM50,000 from Utusan and its editor Zulkifli Jalil in a ruling over an article implying his involvement in corrupt land deals; the case concluded with a judgment including a public apology published by the . Utusan also agreed to settle a 2018 defamation suit filed by out of court, averting a full on claims of similar politically motivated smears. A 2016 High Court closure of Pahang Menteri Besar Seri Adnan Yaakob's claim against Utusan over critical reporting on state governance effectively ended proceedings without a liability finding, suggesting possible settlement or withdrawal. Post-closure of operations in , a 2024 Federal Court decision dismissed appeals by 211 former employees seeking remedies for alleged unfair dismissals in the Industrial Court, ruling that the winding-up of Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd barred such claims, leaving workers without statutory recourse.

References

  1. https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=cbef1b4b-65a2-40c0-aef6-65ea034f7974
  2. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/storied-malaysian-newspaper-abruptly-shuts-after-80-years-idUSKBN1WO0RP/
  3. https://theaseanpost.com/article/end-road-malaysias-utusan
  4. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3032166/umno-linked-utusan-malaysia-newspaper-shuts-down-after-80-years
  5. https://www.newmandala.org/utusan-malaysia-a-messenger-of-hate/
  6. https://dapmalaysia.org/en/utusan-malaysias-comical-hypocrisy/
  7. https://www.ifj.org/media-centre/news/detail/article/malaysia-utusan-returns-after-a-nine-month-shutdown
  8. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysias-oldest-malay-language-newspaper-utusan-is-back-after-nine-month-shutdown
  9. https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=02769d88-cba6-4ce0-879b-6f435dca15de
  10. https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=1762064
  11. https://kyoto-seas.org/pdf/15/4/150408.pdf
  12. https://www.theaseanpost.com/article/end-road-malaysias-utusan
  13. https://www.melakahariini.my/utusan-melayu-the-radical-malay-newspaper/
  14. https://tradeunion.org.my/the-utusan-melayu-strike/
  15. https://www.malaysianbar.org.my/news_features/a_strike_for_press_freedom.html
  16. https://eudl.eu/doi/10.4108/eai.28-9-2020.2307493
  17. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0261379413001455
  18. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/10/09/utusan-malaysia-shuts-down/1798567
  19. https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/188899
  20. https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/utusans-huge-debt-turns-potential-investors-verge-ceasing-ops
  21. https://themalaysianreserve.com/2019/08/21/utusan-heads-for-delisting-but-printing-goes-on/
  22. https://vulcanpost.com/673026/utusan-malaysia-newspaper-closure-price-increase-2019/
  23. https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2019/Oct/09/malaysias-old-malay-language-newspaper-utusan-malaysia-shuts-hundreds-of-staff-affected-2045182.html
  24. https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/10/09/end-of-the-road-for-utusan
  25. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/08/514317/utusan-no-more
  26. https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/10/31/utusan-needs-rm400-million-to-settle-debts-outstanding-wages
  27. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/08/19/utusan-malaysia-may-cease-operations-this-wednesday/1782142
  28. http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/98924/1/Article%2520non%2520cij%25202022.pdf
  29. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/utusan-malaysia-returns-under-new-owner
  30. https://themalaysianreserve.com/2020/07/20/utusan-malaysia-kosmo-back-today/
  31. https://www.utusan.com.my/
  32. https://www.mediamulia.com.my/
  33. https://themalaysianreserve.com/2023/01/30/taking-on-digital-media-behemoths/
  34. https://themalaysianreserve.com/2025/05/05/media-mulia-launches-arah-a-one-stop-platform-for-all-group-news/
  35. https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=1862328
  36. https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/utusan-will-live
  37. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/02/08/utusan-no-longer-under-umnos-direct-control/1721079
  38. https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/syed-mokhtar-linked-aurora-mulia-035934114.html
  39. https://www.investing.com/equities/utusan-melayu-malaysia-bhd-company-profile
  40. https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/112596-49
  41. https://www.gdparchitects.com/all-projects/utusan-melayu-corporate-hq/
  42. https://www.zoominfo.com/c/utusan-melayu-malaysia-berhad/372151836
  43. https://wan-ifra.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ICQC-Book-2012%25E2%2580%25932014.pdf
  44. https://www.academia.edu/17024827/CASE_STUDY_UTUSAN_MELAYU
  45. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/494879
  46. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/508257
  47. https://www.utusan.com.my/hubungi-kami/
  48. https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/UTUS:MK
  49. https://www.ifj.org/media-centre/news/detail/article/malaysia-former-utusan-malaysia-media-workers-to-receive-compensation
  50. https://www.ifla.org/news/from-jawi-to-rumi-the-preservation-of-malay-manuscripts-as-a-cultural-heritage/
  51. https://marketingmagazine.com.my/utusan-malaysia-hopes-to-cut-costs-with-new-tabloid-size/
  52. https://mohdsafar.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1-circulation-of-malaysiam-newspaper.pdf
  53. https://www.nationalpressclub.org.my/utusan-no-more/
  54. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369649504_SOCIAL_MEDIA_IMPACT_ON_TRADITIONAL_MEDIA_A_REVIEW_ON_THE_REASON_BEHIND_THE_CLOSURE_OF_UTUSAN_MALAYSIA
  55. https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/utusan-malaysia-abruptly-shuts-down-after-80-years
  56. https://worldofbuzz.com/after-80-years-utusan-malaysia-finally-closes-down-today-leaving-700-people-jobless/
  57. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358038907_Social_Media_Impact_on_Traditional_Media_A_Review_on_the_Reason_Behind_the_Closure_of_Utusan_Malaysia
  58. https://ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu/book/marsh/P230-260.pdf
  59. https://www.apc.org/sites/default/files/APC_IMPACT_FOAA_Malaysia.pdf
  60. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2014/02/26/after-race-they-will-come-for-your-privileges-utusan-editor-tells-malays/625275
  61. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/utusan-not-racist-just-championing-045528351.html
  62. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1056819023017694
  63. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355069708_Islamic_Values_in_Environmental_Communication_within_the_Malaysian_Media_A_Case_Study_of_Utusan_Malaysia_and_Berita_Harian
  64. https://www.ehm.my/publications/articles/early-post-independence-malay-entry-into-business-achievements-and-failures
  65. https://www.cjr.org/analysis/malaysia-election.php
  66. https://dapmalaysia.org/english/2009/dec09/bul/bul4000.htm
  67. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362072634_Influences_of_Mahathirism_in_Utusan_Malaysia_editorials_on_Mahathir%27s_policies_during_his_premiership_from_1981-2003
  68. https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/utusan-editor-says-paper-transparent-about-umno-influence
  69. http://journalarticle.ukm.my/4962/1/3%25281%2529.pdf
  70. https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/viewFile/1307/690
  71. https://ir.uitm.edu.my/63731/1/63731.pdf
  72. https://jmiw.uitm.edu.my/images/Journal/Vol13202.pdf
  73. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343098323_Framing_Analyses_of_Malaysia%27s_Media_Outlets_and_Editorial_Decisions_Concerning_Frame_Preferences_after_the_2008_General_Election
  74. https://nmjnh.wordpress.com/2008/10/30/mca-slams-utusan-for-reporting-distorted-viewpoints-about-nep-ref-malaysiakini/
  75. https://api.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2019/08/601283/utusan-rekod-peristiwa-penting-perjalanan-kemerdekaan
  76. https://theasian.asia/archives/106366
  77. https://www.utusan.com.my/nasional/2023/12/utusan-malaysia-rangkul-anugerah-media-pelancongan-kesihatan/
  78. https://www.utusan.com.my/berita/2025/10/utusan-malaysia-dan-kosmo-menang-anugerah-media-johor-2025/
  79. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346457763_%27Malaysia_belongs_to_the_Malays%27_Malaysia_ni_Melayu_Punya_Categorising_%27us%27_and_%27them%27_in_Malaysia%27s_mainstream_Malay-language_newspapers
  80. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/109911
  81. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/206243
  82. https://core.ac.uk/download/328829370.pdf
  83. https://econjournals.com/index.php/irmm/article/view/3910
  84. https://cj.my/91172/glcs-ordered-to-advertise-more-in-utusan-malaysia/
  85. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/malaysian-media-shapes-battleground-in-anwar-trial-idUSTRE6140N7/
  86. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/495518
  87. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/359410
  88. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/singapores-high-commissioner-to-malaysia-slams-utusan-malaysia-for-inaccuracies-and
  89. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/utusan-says-sorry-publishing-fake-news-catholic-priest-094553972.html
  90. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2015/04/06/utusan-apologises-to-senior-lawyer-rosli-dahlan-for-untrue-report/873319
  91. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/370568
  92. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351599557_Hegemonic_Discourse_in_Malaysia_A_Study_on_The_News_Coverage_by_Utusan_Malaysia_on_The_Issue_of_Comango
  93. https://dapmalaysia.org/en/umno-utusan-continue-to-harp-on-race/
  94. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/utusan-wrong-assumptions-tirade-against-non-malays-060739479.html
  95. https://international.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/khoo-kay-kim-and-utusan-malaysia-14119
  96. https://dinmerican.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/the-sultan-of-perak-umnos-utusan-and-politics/
  97. https://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/03/15/umno-comes-under-fire-from-malays/
  98. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/230950
  99. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/kit-siang-wins-defamation-suit-against-utusan-085349702.html
  100. https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/utusan-ordered-pay-anwar-rm200000-damages-defamation
  101. https://www.malikimtiaz.com.my/doc/irene-fernandez.pdf
  102. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2018/11/24/court-orders-utusan-to-pay-rm50000-to-guan-eng-over-defamatory-article/1696590
  103. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2018/08/29/utusan-melayu-agrees-to-settle-anwars-defamation-suit/1667368
  104. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2016/03/130604/case-closed-legal-dispute-between-pahang-mb-utusan
  105. https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/09/09/ex-utusan-employees-have-no-remedy-in-industrial-court-says-federal-court
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
Contribute something
User Avatar
No comments yet.