The face of popular ntv7 newscaster Hong Ju Khee may soon be missing from your tv screen.

It is reliably learnt that Hong's application for the troubled tv station's voluntary separation scheme (VSS) was approved on Thursday.

This has surprised many in the media circle as Hong is one of the most recognisable faces on ntv7 and should continue to be an asset to the station.

Hong joined ntv7 since the station started in 1998. She is well known for her trilingual capability and was the main anchor for the station's Bahasa, Mandarin and English news from 1998 to 1999.

She heads the station's Chinese department and holds several posts including senior editor, Mandarin news anchor and host of the 'Finding Angels' segment.

A USM mass communication graduate, Hong has also been awarded the favourite tv host/newscaster under the Documentary and Information Category by the media industry.

Meanwhile, sources revealed that many Natseven TV Sdn Bhd (ntv7) employees who applied for the VSS have also been approved. Their service will end on Dec 23. However, many are expected to be offered a three-month contract to finish outstanding assignments.

It is learnt that about 300 of the 400-odd employees had applied for the VSS but the exact number of approvals are still unknown. Many management personnel were given the VSS due to their high salary.

This is the second downsizing exercise in ntv7 after its take-over by media giant Media Prima Berhad. More than 10 contract employees were terminated on Tuesday and some claimed that the termination was 'unfair'.

Attractive termination package

In an email reply to malaysiakini's queries this week, Media Prima corporate communications manager Ratnawati Jamil said 'unfair' termination among contract employees does not arise.

"Ntv7 is paying one month's salary as outlined in the offer letter to contract employees. The terms of employment also allow either party to give one month's notice. Our termination offer is more attractive than the usual termination benefit of the Employment Law which is 10 days' salary," she said.

She claimed that the retrenchment was done in a proper manner, conforming to labour regulations.

"It is a mutually beneficial scheme for the employees as well as ntv7, allowing the former to pursue alternative career or starting their own business after receiving a fair and equitable compensation."

The format and identity of ntv7 remains unchanged, according to the email.

"We will continue to leverage on its strong brand appeal among its key audiences urban adults aged 25 and above, and those in the higher income urban households," she added.

Media Prima emerged as the sole owner of all the country's free-to-air television stations after its 100 percent acquisition of the ntv7 Group for a total of RM90 million on Oct 27.

Media Prima owns three other television stations - TV3, 8TV, Channel 9 - and two radio stations, FlyFm and WaFM.