Human Resources Ministry ready to assist Utusan Malaysia staff facing possible layoffs, says deputy minister

The Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said this while answering a question from Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai) regarding the allegation that between 100 and 200 Utusan Malaysia employees might lose their jobs due to management and financial problems believed to be faced by the media company. — Bernama pic

First Published: Tuesday, 03 Nov 2026 2:44 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — The Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) is ready to assist media personnel and journalists affected by job layoffs through various forms of aid, including the Employment Insurance System (EIS) under the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso).

The Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said this while answering a question from Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai) regarding the allegation that between 100 and 200 Utusan Malaysia employees might lose their jobs due to management and financial problems believed to be faced by the media company.

He said that if the layoffs really happen, the ministry will apply and ask the involved companies to submit applications for assistance and review the eligibility of the affected workers under the EIS.

“EIS benefit applications can be made within 60 days from the date of job loss, provided that the specified contribution eligibility is met and relevant supporting documents are submitted,” he said during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said the ministry also provided several other intervention measures to help affected workers.

“I have prepared six steps that we will take and I will share them with the Yang Berhormat Pulai so that we can together see what role the ministry will play,” he also said.

Yesterday it was reported that Media Mulia, the publisher of Utusan Malaysia and Kosmo, would be restructuring its business to align operations with the shift of the media industry towards digital, affecting around 100 employees and journalists from both newspapers. — Bernama