Malaysia’s oldest newspaper publisher Media Mulia has agreed to reassess a paid leave program affecting nearly 100 employees and explore alternatives to layoffs.
Director and Chief Financial Officer Abd Wahid Idris said Thursday that discussions were ongoing and the company was open to a range of options to maintain business continuity and safeguard employee welfare, according to state-owned media Named.
“Our immediate priority is to conduct a comprehensive assessment and identify the best way to restructure our business model.
“InsyaAllah, following further assessment and discussions with the Communications Minister, some adjustments or changes may be made to our existing plans,” he said, using the Arabic expression “God willing.”
|
The office of Media Mulia. Photo via Google Maps/Media Mulia |
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil was previously reported as saying that media organizations struggling with operational and financial problems should seek discussions to explore potential assistance and ensure their employees were not at risk of layoffs.
He said the government had introduced the Media Innovation Fund with MYR30 million (US$7.4 million) in allocation to help media organisations diversify their revenue streams and explore new sources of income, according to Borneo Post Online.
“I do not want to see many journalists losing their jobs because media companies are forced to shut down,” he said, noting that several media organisations had laid off employees in recent years.
On Wednesday, the Malaysian Media Council called on Media Mulia to uphold employee rights, ensure transparency and protect staff welfare following a restructuring exercise involving the Utusan Malaysia and Kosmo! newspapers.