FMT editor-in-chief, journalists resign

(The Star) – Online news portal Free Malaysia Today (FMT) has been hit by a series of resignations, including that of its editor-in-chief, over the past week due to “internal problems”, sources confirm.

“Four editors, including our editor-in-chief K. Kabilan (picture), five journalists, two tech guys and a videographer have tendered their resignations,” confirmed an insider from FMT, adding that more resignations would follow.

The source said that many staff had expressed loyalty to the former editor-in-chief, and decided to leave when he tendered his resignation last Friday.

The insider confirmed reports that the resignations were due to internal problems within the company and an impending change in editorial direction.

Several employees at FMT also confirmed allegations that the management had not contributed to the staff’s Employee Provident Fund (EPF) for several months.

Another FMT source told The Star that a few ex-employees are intent on lodging a report with the EPF against the company.

The source added that a press conference on the matter would be held after the report is made, although a definite location has not as yet been set.

FMT was set up four years ago, as a sister site to Raja Petra Kamarudin’s website, Malaysia Today.