Does Utusan Malaysia Spread Misinformation? Bias Rating and Fact-Check Review
Utusan Malaysia Overview and Political Bias
Utusan Malaysia is frequently described by media analysts as a nationalist publication that prioritizes Malay interests. Critics argue the paper historically served as a mouthpiece for the UMNO party, allegedly marginalizing minority viewpoints and opposition voices. Some observers claim its reporting occasionally employs sensationalist rhetoric to appeal to its core demographic.
| Standpoint | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Overall political leaning | Right |
| Estimated number of readers | 1,200,000 |
| Israel support | Pro-Palestine |
| Use of loaded / emotional language | High |
| Target Audience | Malay-majority / Conservative / Partisan |
Utusan Malaysia History
Founded in 1939 as Utusan Melayu in Singapore, it was the first Malay-owned newspaper. It relocated to Kuala Lumpur in 1958 and launched its Romanized version, Utusan Malaysia, in 1967. After suffering major financial losses and liquidation in 2019, the publication was relaunched in 2020 under new corporate management.
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Who owns Utusan Malaysia?
Historically owned and controlled by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the newspaper underwent a structural shift after its 2019 closure. It is currently owned by Media Mulia Sdn Bhd, a company widely reported to be linked to Malaysian billionaire Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary through various corporate vehicles.