Press group urges authorities to act against Petra News

Summary

• CIJ expresses support for the staff of The Malaysian Insight, The Vibes, and Getaran, joining the call for authorities to act against Petra News Sdn Bhd.

• CIJ executive director Wathshlah G Naidu says Petra News’ failure to provide EPF and Socso payments is a breach of trust and a violation of labour laws.

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) today expressed solidarity with the staff of The Malaysian Insight, The Vibes, and Getaran, joining the call for authorities to act against Petra News Sdn Bhd.

CIJ executive director Wathshlah G Naidu called on the Labour Department and relevant ministries to act quickly by providing the employees with legal protection and durable solutions, as well as ensuring accountability from Petra News.

“It is deeply concerning that in the current Malaysian media landscape, media workers continue to fight for the bare minimum - fair wages, timely payments, and legally mandated contributions,” she said in a statement.

Yesterday, 15 employees of Petra News issued a statement urging authorities to act against the company for failing to make statutory payments in 2024.

They claimed that Petra News had failed to make monthly payments to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), tax deductions to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), and Social Security Organisation (Socso) contributions for 2024.

Affected staff have also lodged a separate complaint with the Labour Department, which is investigating the matter.

Malaysiakini has contacted Petra News for comment.

Breach of trust, violation of laws

In her statement, Wathshlah said Petra News’ failure to provide EPF and Socso payments is a breach of trust and a violation of labour laws.

“These unlawful actions threaten the very foundation of the critical role of the media as the fourth estate of democracy. 

“A free and independent media cannot exist without the protection of the rights and the guarantee of fair, safe, and dignified working conditions for those who uphold it,” she said.

She further implored the government to prevent the exploitation of media workers to ensure that their rights are protected, especially when attempting to hold employers accountable.

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