IT is business as usual for Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd, contrary to market talk that the group would cease to exist after this week.

In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, the board announced that the company would continue to operate and publish its newspapers Utusan Malaysia and Kosmo!. 

“As such, the Board denies rumours that Utusan will cease its printing and operation, which has been widespread in other newspapers and social media,” it said.

The company also announced officially that its publications would cost 50 sen more this week.

“The company has decided to increase the price of Utusan Malaysia from RM1.50 per copy to RM2 per copy, while Kosmo! from RM1 to RM1.50 per copy, effective August 23 and August 25 respectively,” it added.

The oldest surviving Malay daily was established in 1939 as Utusan Melayu, with its first publication in Jawi.

The group recently announced that it would not be able to meet Bursa Malaysia’s requirement to uplift the Practice Note 17 (PN17) status from August 20, 2018, hence risking a possible de-listing from the local exchange.

At lunch break today, its share lost 0.5 sen to 6.5 sen with 1.26 million shares traded. – Bernama, August 21, 2019.