Wanita Umno starts donation drive for Utusan staff

By Dawn Chan - August 20, 2019 @ 10:47am

(NSTP File Pix) Utusan Melayu Berhad building in Jalan Chan Sow Lin. -- Pix: NSTP/MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN,

SHAH ALAM: Wanita Umno has kickstarted a donation drive to assist Utusan Melayu (M) Berhad employees who are facing financial uncertainties after news broke that the Malay daily might cease print operations from tomorrow.

Its assistant secretary Datuk Rosni Sohar said the nationwide donation drive was initiated three days ago.

“We have mobilised our division chiefs to collect cash donation which will be banked-in directly to Utusan’s bank account. The collection will last for two weeks.

“We hope the donation will be handed over to the staff who are facing financial constraints.

“We are very worried with what had happened to them. We will not abandon them during these difficult times and we hope our effort will ease their burden,” said Rosni today.

Rosni, who is also Selangor Wanita chief, said this when met at Selangor Umno headquarters.

Also present was Selangor Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Mat Nadzari Ahmad Dahlan.

Nadzari said they are sad and concerned for the future of the newspaper's staff.

However, he said Selangor Umno’s hands are tied as RM1.7 million have been frozen after the 14th General Election.

“Ours is a small part of a total of RM116 million of Umno’s fund. If it is expected of Umno to alleviate Utusan’s financial burden, why don't the government unfreeze our bank account?,” he said.

On a separate matter, Nadzari said Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Umno has not neglected its political partners, MCA and MIC, amid its close and intensified cooperation with Islamist party, Pas.

He said Umno was still maintaining its political cooperation with MCA and MIC.

“The combined political efforts between Umno and Pas does not mean we are leaving MIC and MCA behind.

“I have met with the state’s top leaders where I have explained to them on Umno and Pas’s cooperation.

“Our aim is to strengthen the support from the Malays first before we further solidify with cooperation with MCA and MIC.

“They understand that it is our objective is to win back Selangor,” said Nadzari.