Utusan chairperson urges staff to change to stay relevant

The remaining staff of Utusan Malaysia have been urged by their executive chairperson Abd Aziz Sheikh Fadzir to introduce much-needed changes and remain relevant among readers.

In an interview with weekend edition Mingguan Malaysia, Aziz issued an apology for any past editorial mistakes, and pleaded for Utusan to be given a second chance to rebuild its reputation as the voice of the people.

"To all Utusan staff, we must be brave to accept that we have failed," he said.

"This is a new opportunity for us to rise with a new attitude, improve our skills in line with the current needs and developments.

"Feel the pulse of the people in order to remain relevant. To all Malaysians, please forgive us for our mistakes, give us a chance to continue Utusan's agenda by continuing to support and buy the paper."

Aziz is presently Utusan's largest shareholder through his company Opulence Asia Sdn Bhd, after Umno sold its 31.6 percent share in February.

He said that Utusan in its process of recovery will continue being the voice of the Malays to fight for their rights, as well as for Malaysians as a whole.

He also reiterated his willingness to let go of his stake in the company to new investors, on top of ongoing efforts to sell assets as a means to stabilise cash flow.

A picket organised by the Utusan branch of the National Union of Journalists last week to demand settlement of three months' salaries and severance payments saw its management securing an RM1.6 million lifeline from Umno for partial payments of RM2,000 each to all remaining staff.

The payments were also made in less than 24 hours from reports indicating that Utusan and Kosmo would cease publications on Aug 21.

As Aziz told Mingguan Malaysia, reports of the shutdown, which quoted company sources and a senior editor's staff briefing, had negatively impacted their reputation.

It was subsequently announced that Utusan and Kosmo would remain on the market with an increased cover price. 

Utusan Melayu Bhd, however, will be delisted from Bursa Malaysia after failure to settle its loans.