Utusan Malaysia is a Malaysian daily newspaper, founded in 1939 by the Utusan Group. It was translated as the Malaysian Courier, and although it was first published in Jawi, Utusan Malaysia is now published in romanised letters. Utusan Malaysia is regarded as the most successful newspaper in Malaysia, with the best selling rates. However, Utusan Malaysia has raised many controversies among the years and it has been seriously criticized, due to statements taken out of context and to racism. Here are some of the statements of influential people regarding Utusan Malaysia.

“Utusan wants to set Malaysia on fire..it is the most evil and dangerous element in our country right now. .. How can a lie be on the front page of a newspaper?” (Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng -May 2011)

“If we take action against Utusan Malaysia, what about the allegations against the Chinese papers? Then the Chinese papers will say what about the content of the Indian papers. And the Indian papers will then look at the English papers. It will never end.” (Hishammuddin Hussein – May 2011)

“Of late, Utusan Malaysia appears to be trying to rewrite the fundamental tenets of what responsible reporting entails… It crossed the line with its coverage of the ‘Christian State’ issue recently, earning a reprimand from the Home Ministry, after causing unnecessary alarm and anxiety among the different races in the country.” (MCA Vice-president Gan Ping Sieu – May 2011)

“Utusan Malaysia is not interested in Malay progress because Malay progress would mean that sub-par individuals would have no place in the hierarchy of the paper. So they need to perpetuate the system which has allowed them to milk privileges and accorded them special treatment.” (Colin See – May 2011)

“Utusan Malaysia represents Umno worldview and that worldview is that UMNO’s position in the country must be protected, even if it means destroying the country and its institutions. In this worldview, nothing is sacred. Not the Federal Constitution. Not the truth. Not facts. Not even the Almighty. The only thing that matters is every Malaysian should submit to the will of UMNO.” (The Malaysian Insider)

UMNO stand for the United Malays National Organisation, which is the largest political party in Malaysia. As you can see, the politicians are not very thrilled with Utusan Malaysia, although among the ordinary people it is still very popular.