New Sabah Times closes down, to print final edition tomorrow

 By Olivia Miwil - December 30, 2020 @ 11:38am

New Sabah Times, one of Sabah's oldest newspaper to make its last print edition tomorrow for good. - NSTP/YUN MIKAIL.

KOTA KINABALU: The New Sabah Times, one of Sabah's oldest newspapers, will print its final edition tomorrow.

Founded in 1949, the paper was known as Kinabalu Times before it was rebranded as Sabah Times by Sandakan-based reporter Tun Muhammad Fuad Stephens who later became the first Sabah Chief Minister in 1963.

The newspaper was shut down on March 24, 1995 and was revived on March 8, 1998 as the New Sabah Times.

Former New Sabah Times journalist Jenne Lajiun said she hoped the newspaper will be revived again one day.

"My years with the New Sabah Times have been wonderful as my chief editor was 'mean' as every chief editor should be, but it was great working with him.

"During those times, I was considered one of the few mums in the fraternity who brought small children to work.

"I did not have any choice then. But everyone was so supportive and cool about it," said the Borneo Post reporter who was with the company in 2003 for eight years.

A 55-year-old reporter, James Leong, who is in-charge of Sabah East Coast news, said the closure of the newspaper was inevitable.

"The Covid 19 pandemic has really impacted many Malaysians and led to loss of jobs and affected businesses.

"In fact, the rumours that the newspaper will have to cease operations have been going around since the start of the Movement Control Order in March.

"It is really sad as we really have to close down for good. The company has offered three months' salary under the Mutual Separation Scheme plus this month's salary," he said, adding that he hoped to land a similar job at other news agencies.