EDUCATION Minister Maszlee Malik said he had no knowledge of any instructions from his ministry instructing universities and schools to discontinue subscribing to Umno-owned newspaper, Utusan Malaysia.

The Simpang Renggam MP however said the ministry was now undertaking cost-cutting measures.

“I have not got any info (about the memo). Let me check first.

“I have to ask Wan Saiful Wan Jan because we are now cutting costs, and moreover news can be read online,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

Maszlee also refused to answer when asked whether other newspapers were also affected by the decision.

Earlier today the Education Ministry released a memo directing schools, universities, colleges and other institutions under its care to stop subscribing to Utusan.

The memo was issued by Wan Saiful Wan Jan who is a special adviser to Maszlee.

The memo dated July 18 was addressed to the Education Ministry secretary-general Mohd Ghazali Abas.

Utusan, which has been in the red in recent years, has been critical of the Pakatan Harapan government in its reports. – August 1, 2018.