KUMPULAN Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd’s decision to fold up, bringing to an end the publication of a 80-year old Malay-language newspaper, has caught politicians and union leaders by surprise.

They said they had seen some hope for the financially strapped company after it spoke last month about a revamp plan.

Many empathised with the 800 employees who have been left in a lurch following the shutdown.

Here are some of the reactions:

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim
I sympathise with those affected by the shutdown. I hope there are other media companies that can hire these affected staff so that they can earn a livelihood.

Amanah president Mohamad Sabu
Although Utusan had been critical of us when we were in the opposition, it is still an institution. I am sad that it has come to an end. The company should be saved.

Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa
This is the company’s business decision, nothing to do with Umno. We need not interfere. This is purely a business decision. The company’s board is free to make such decisions.

But we need to ask them why this has happened, as previously the picture given was that they want to continue with the publication. We have no information as to why they decided to close down.

Personally, I am saddened by the shutdown as Utusan existed even before Merdeka and the newspaper played a major role in the independence and nationalism movement.

It has a long history but we can’t afford to (be sentimental about) this now as a business decision has been made.

Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob
I hope in future, if the newspaper can be revived, it can be given a new touch and feel altogether so that it can become a major leading newspaper once again.

Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali
It is a tragedy for the staff and writers who have long worked for the struggle of Malays and Islam.

It is also unfortunate that the 80-year-old newspaper has to stop publication despite the company changing hands in recent months.

Is there a corporate game being played to change the ownership of the company? Whatever happens, the victims are the employees whose families will now face difficulties.

Gerakan Pembela Umno deputy chairman Mohd Zai Mustafa
Utusan is a Bumi company that has long contributed to the race, religion and country. The Utusan newspaper has also long played a role in shaping the minds of its Malay readers.

I hope there will be new parties who can revive Utusan so that it can continue to play a role in the development of the people and Islam.

MTUC secretary-general J. Solomon
The government should interfere to solve the financial issues affecting the company for the sake of its 800 employees.

If the present management is unable to run the company, then the government must try to step in. Either Khazanah Nasional or KWAP can save the newspaper. They have previously injected funds to help other ailing  companies. There is no reason for them not to do it now. – October 9, 2019.