Harian Metro

Harian Metro
Front page on 19 March 2018.
TypeDaily newspaper
FormatTabloid
PublisherThe New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad
EditorMustapa Omar[1]
Deputy editorAhmad Salim Bachok
Associate editorNoorsham Md Saleh
Husain Jahit
Managing editorShariffudin Mohamed
Othman Mamat
News editorManan Samad
Mohd Safar Ahmad
Yusri Abdul Malek
Ahmad Shahrul Nizam Muhammad
Photo editorKhairil Shahriman Maarup
Founded26 March 1991 (1991-03-26)
LanguageMalay
HeadquartersBalai Berita 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Circulation179,231 (daily)
207,119 (Metro Ahad)
1,743 (daily E-paper)
1,741 (Metro Ahad E-paper)
*Source: Audit Bureau of Circulations, Malaysia – July to December 2015[2][3]
Websitewww.hmetro.com.my

Harian Metro is a Malaysian daily tabloid newspaper published by the New Straits Times Press[4], covering entertainment, lifestyle, and current affairs.

History

1990s

On 26 March 1991, Harian Metro, Malaysia's first afternoon Malay-language newspaper, was launched. The cover price at launch was RM0.50. The first news editor appointed was Mior Kamarul Shahid. On 26 June 1991, the newspaper underwent its first redesign. In 1992, Ahmad Puad Onah was appointed editor. On 25 March 1992, the southern edition of Harian Metro was launched in Johor Bahru. On 1 April 1994, Zian Johari was appointed editor. In the same year, Harian Metro Edisi Timur was launched on 16 May and Edisi Utara on 1 August. On 29 August 1995, Metro Ahad was launched.

2000s

On 17 July 2000, Harian Metro was redesigned with a new tagline, "Kini, Sini, Terkini". On 23 July, Metro Ahad also underwent a redesign. On 26 March 2001, Harian Metro celebrated its tenth anniversary. In the fourth quarter of 2003, Metro Ahad reached 1,068,000 readers.[5]

On 27 January 2004, official websites for Harian Metro and Metro Ahad were launched at Balai Berita in Kuala Lumpur. On 1 June 2004, Berita Harian Sdn. Bhd. appointed Hafifi Hafidz as executive editor of Harian Metro and Metro Ahad, replacing Zian Johari, who became executive editor of Berita Minggu.

On 27 July 2004, Harian Metro launched a weekly column titled Liku-liku Niaga, which was published every Tuesday in the business section. On 23 August 2004, a new pullout titled "Bintang dan Variasi Metro" (V‑Met) was launched.

On 1 January 2005, the cover price of Harian Metro increased to RM1.20, while Metro Ahad rose to RM1.50. In Sabah and Sarawak, both titles were sold for RM2.00 per copy. On 6 June 2006, i‑Metro, an interactive portal for community contributions, was launched. On 15 July 2006, Harian Metro adopted a new layout with added sections on celebrities, lifestyle, health, and fashion; new nameplates were introduced, renaming "Bintang" to "Rentak Artis Popular" (RAP) and "V‑Met" to "Variasi", while Metro Ahad replaced "Meta" with "Ekspresi". On 16 July 2006, Metro Ahad was also revamped.

On 1 March 2008, Abdul Ghafar Ismail was appointed executive editor of Harian Metro and Metro Ahad. On 12 April 2009, Metro Ahad launched the "GIGS – Gema Informasi Generasi Semasa" pullout, published on Sundays. On 13 April 2009, the cover price of Harian Metro increased to RM1.50 (RM2.30 in Sabah and Sarawak); the "RAP" and "Variasi" pullouts adopted new nameplates. On 1 July 2009, Abdul Ghafar Ismail was re‑designated Deputy Group Editor; on 17 August 2009, Datuk Mustapa Omar was appointed as a Group Editor; and on 9 October 2009, Harian Metro launched the "AYU" pullout.

2010s

On 3 May 2010, Harian Metro became available in Sabah and Sarawak. On 23 May 2010, its regional edition was officially launched in Kuching. The 64-page edition was priced at RM1.50 and covered sports, education, and community events. On 7 January 2013, the weekday entertainment pullout "Rentak Artis Popular" was shortened to "RAP". In October 2019, the weekend entertainment section "Bling" was renamed "RapXtra".

2020s

During the COVID‑19 pandemic, Harian Metro expanded public health and policy coverage and increased digital publishing via its website and mobile app. The newspaper ran features on community responses and collaborated with authorities and health professionals to disseminate public health information. It also launched digital initiatives offering exclusive content, interactive features, and online events.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Sidang Pengarang Harian Metro". 13 September 2014.
  2. ^ "Delivering Trust data" (PDF). abcm.org.my. 2015. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  3. ^ "Delivering Trust data" (PDF). abcm.org.my. 2015. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Who We Are". The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Bhd. NSTP. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  5. ^ "Harian Metro". YouTube. Retrieved 22 December 2025.