Zainuddin Maidin, the former information minister who led the group in the 80s, said Utusan, which carried out staff layoffs and announced losses in the wake of Umno’s defeat in the May 9 polls, would find it hard to stay afloat amid its financial difficulties.

“It is sad to see Utusan’s dark future,” said the veteran journalist.

“Utusan is not bringing the voice of the people, that is why it is struggling to stay afloat.”

Zainuddin said Utusan’s flagship publication Utusan Malaysia was also no longer seen as a source of news.

Utusan Melayu publishes Utusan Malaysia, Mingguan Malaysia and Kosmo.

The company recently offered voluntary separation schemes to 800 of its 1,500 staff.

This followed moves to embark on a major restructuring in the aftermath of the May 9 election which saw the defeat of Barisan Nasional and Umno, its main financial backers.