Media group Utusan Melayu (M) Berhad has reportedly offered some 800 of its 1,500 employees, a voluntary separation scheme (VSS), as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

The Edge today cited sources as saying those who have received a letter on this matter have the option to either accept or reject the offer.

The VSS exercise was extended to staff members of both Utusan Malaysia and Kosmo, as well as the group's magazines Mastika, saji, Infiniti and Wanita.

The decision was reportedly reached after a meeting between group executive chairperson Abd Aziz Sheikh Fadzir and staff members earlier today.

The Utusan group has been struggling financially, reportedly delaying salary and allowance payments. Previously its National Union of Journalists (NUJ) branch urged employees to not go out into the field as a sign of protest against the delay.

The group's annual report states that its total liabilities stood at RM328.17 million as of Dec 31 last year, up from RM302.2 million in 2016.