Education Minister Maszlee Malik said money can be saved by reading news online after his ministry ordered to terminate subscriptions to Utusan Malaysia newspapers.

He said this in response to the Education Ministry's decision to instruct all schools, universities, colleges and other institutions under it to terminate their subscription of Utusan Malaysia, an Umno-owned newspaper.

"We're are now taking cost-cutting measures and after all, news can be read online," he told journalists at the Parliament lobby today.

Maszlee was asked to comment on a leaked memo issued through his special adviser Wan Saiful Wan Jan on the termination of the subscription.

However, Maszlee said he was not aware about the memo itself and would check with his special adviser.

Maszlee refused to comment when asked whether other newspapers will meet the same fate as Utusan.

He added the government was finding various ways to save money.

"We support any measures to save taxpayers' money," he said.

Earlier today, it was reported that the memo, dated July 18, was sent by Wan Saiful to Education Ministry secretary-general Mohd Ghazali Abas.

A ministry official has confirmed the authenticity of the memo.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, had said that the ministry was also looking at cancelling subscriptions to other newspapers.

Despite being a loss-making newspaper in recent years, Utusan has long enjoyed state support due to its affiliation with Umno.

However, the Umno-led BN was defeated in the 14th general election.

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