Utusan Malaysia, the Malay language Malaysian newspaper that was established by Singapore's first President, may suspend its print operations this Wednesday, Aug. 21.

Founded in 1939 by Yusof Ishak in Singapore, the paper was then known as Utusan Melayu.

It was the very first publication to be owned, financed, managed and written by Malays.

May shut down soon

According to the Malay Mail, Taufik Razak, president of the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM), said his colleagues informed him of the impending move.

However, he has yet to receive confirmation by the publication's management.

Taufik, who is also Utusan Malaysia's NUJ branch chairman said: "We will be working, our last day is on Wednesday. After that, we will close down. No more operation."

"We have yet to receive anything in black and white, but we (NUJ Utusan) were informed by staff and their bosses informed them."

He added that discussions were ongoing.

However, according to Malaysiakini, its online publication Utusan Online will continue as usual.

Utusan Malaysia history

The paper's operations were disrupted by World War II and the Japanese Occupation, when it was merged with Berita Malai and printed propaganda for the Japanese.

It was revived in 1945 by Yusof once more, and began to publish anti-British and anti-colonialist content.

It gradually came under UMNO's influence as UMNO members bought up shares.

In 1958, its parent company Utusan Melayu Press Limited (UMPL) moved to Kuala Lumpur, with the Singapore office becoming a branch office.

In 1970, Utusan Melayu’s management closed the Singapore office and suspended circulation there.

The decision was made after Singapore's government stopped granting permits to the company for the circulation of its newspapers in Singapore, following the reconstitution of UMPL to Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd.

Utusan Malaysia is known for backing UMNO, the previous ruling coalition in Malaysia before the May 2018 general election that subsequently saw them removed from government.

Top image from National Archives Singapore.