Based on reports, The Malaysian Chinese media group which oversees China Press, Sin Chew Daily and Nanyang Siang Pau, among other titles, may be reducing their workforce by 44% (from 1,800 staff to 1,000) over the next five years.
Based on CEO Francis Tiong, the reduction will follow the integration of AI across all units of operation.
"With internal structural and reorganisation, the merger or consolidation of Sinchew and Nanyang group, closure of Johor and Penang (printing) plants (provided the cost-saving measures are justified but not at the moment) and the application of AI across all units of operations, we can reduce our staff to 1,000 over a period of two, three or even five years", he said.
The integration of AI will be meant to streamline operations, such as generating videos and rendering human digital presenters to narrate news. The firm has since started training staff to equip them with the necessary tools for an AI future.
However, the plan to reduce workforce by 44% is still in its preliminary stages and not an immediate move.
According to Malay Mail, Media Chinese International reported a net loss of RM61 million (S$17.5 million), the largest since 1998 for the financial year ending on Mar. 31, 2024 (FY2023/24).
