Malaysian free-TV broadcaster and producer, Media Prima, is cutting another 300 jobs from the end of July in the latest phase of a multi-year business transformation plan. 

Staffers were told on Monday, 29 June, and their last day is 31 July. 

The Kuala Lumpur-based network told investors that it had wrapped up its discussions with five trade union groups on the accelerated next phase of a business transformation plan. 

This latest restructure was announced by Media Prima’s new boss, Iskandar Mizal Mahmood, at the beginning of June. 

Mahmood took over as group managing director on 1 April this year, replacing long-time boss Kamal Khalid, and expanded his role as chief executive of Media Prima Television Networks after the sudden exit of Johan Ishak. 

Media Prima said the approximately 300 people involved would receive “fair and equitable compensation”.

Despite breakout box office hits like Ejen Ali, Media Prima has in the past few years struggled to cope with disruption to its traditional media business, exacerbated by broader economic conditions and by what it described as “unknown variables” surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic.

“These factors have compelled the Group to expedite the next phase of its transformation exercise, which includes revising revenue models and corresponding cost management. It involves operational changes at selected units to address cost inefficiencies arising from work duplication,” the company said, adding that it was working towards “a robust and sustainable business model for the medium and long-term”.