Three ministers have come out in support of Utusan Malaysia despite criticism against the Umno-daily for its racially-inflammatory reports.

NONE "Even though there are some who call for a boycott of Utusan , Utusan is still relevant and I believe the government also supports the daily because its articles are truthful," Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim ( right ) was quoted as saying in Utusan Malaysia today.

Meanwhile, Rural and Regional Development Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal said it was normal for the Umno-owned daily to be firm on issues.

"The rakyat must be open-minded to see the fact behind every conflict," he reportedly said.

Ahmad Shabery Cheek was also quoted as saying that the daily was a voice for the people, particularly among the Malay community.

The newspaper has courted controversy on several occasions, particularly when it published a racial headline entitled ‘ Apa lagi Cina mahu? ’ (What more do the Chinese want?) after the ruling coalition's support from the community faltered in the 13th general election.

Yesterday, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar defended Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for not taking the daily to task over the controversial headline, stating that the newspaper’s stance was not endorsed by the government.