The Straits Times of Singapore 27th May 2001

Opposition leaders and freelance journalists protest against the move, amid fears that the deal could be signed as early as next week

By Reme Ahmad in Kuala Lumpur

IGNORING concerns that it will stifle press freedom, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) is moving to take over all the main Chinese newspapers in the country, bringing all of them under one umbrella.

The MCA's plan to take over Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press is only the first stage of a move to consolidate its hold over the major Chinese press, The Sun newspaper reported yesterday.

In the second stage, MCA is targeting the biggest Chinese-language newspaper, Sin Chew Jit Poh, and its sister publication, Guang Ming daily.

MCA President Datuk Seri Ling Liong Sik said his party's bid to buy a controlling stake in the Chinese dailies was a business deal and not aimed at influencing the newspapers' editorial policies.

Critics were not impressed by the assurances given by Datuk Seri Ling that the independence of the newspapers would not be jeopardised.

Their worries were heightened by signs that the deal could be inked quickly - perhaps by next week - so as not to increase the protests by the community.

The Chinese community has expressed fears that these moves would reduce readers' choice and curb press freedom, and that views critical of the MCA leadership and the government would be muted by the takeover.

At the MCA headquarters yesterday, about 30 opposition leaders, freelance journalists and writers wearing yellow ribbons held a peaceful protest against the takeover of Nanyang and China Press.

Currently, the Sin Chew/Guang Ming group is controlled by Sarawak-based Pemandangan Sinar Sdn Bhd. Its shareholders are expected to take a 20 per cent stake in their erstwhile rivals - Nanyang/China Press group.

With the stage two takeover, all the major Chinese newspapers in the country will be under the umbrella of MCA and Pemandangan Sinar.

If the deal goes through, Penang-based Kwong Wah Yit Poh would be the only Chinese newspaper left in the peninsula not linked by shareholding to any political party.

Mr Yong Kai Peng, a columnist with Nanyang, said he and 20 other freelance journalists would boycott both the Chinese dailies involved in the takeover.

'We will no longer contribute reports or commentaries to the newspapers,' he told AP.

'We are willing to sacrifice our income but not lose further press freedom in this country.'

Some of the protesters, along with opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, yesterday also held a news conference on the first floor of a Chinese bookshop in the city to slam the deal.

'MCA takeover of Nanyang and China Press is a double catastrophe to press freedom and the voices of the Chinese community,' said Mr Lim, chairman of the Chinese-dominated Democratic Action Party (DAP).

Influential Chinese groups such as the MCA' Election Appeals Committee (Suqiu) and the Dong Jiao Zhong Chinese education movement have voiced concerns over continuing impartiality of the Chinese press if the MCA took over.

The Chinese-language newspapers have been more critical in their coverage of politics, education and other issues, especially those involving the community, compared with the English and Malay-language newspapers, which are controlled by Umno or by businessmen closely linked to Umno.

The biggest English daily, The Star, is controlled by the MCA through Huaren Holdings - the vehicle to be used to take over Nanyang and China Press.

Huaren, the MCA's investment arm, is discussing with Hume Industries for its 70 per cent stake in Nanyang Press Holdings, the publisher of Nanyang and China Press.

Circulation figuresACCORDING to a Sun report yesterday, circulation figures up to June last year are as follows:

Sin Chew Jit Poh - 276,239 Nanyang Siang Pau - 176,798 China Press - 126,596 Guang Ming Daily - 90,033 Kwong Wah Yit Poh - 72,058

The Nanyang media group is now controlled by Hume Industries and publishes two newspapers, the Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press.

The Sin Chew Jit Poh and Guang Ming Daily are now controlled by Sarawak-based Pemandangan Sinar Sdn Bhd.

If the MCA deal goes through, Penang-based Kwong Wah Yit Poh would be the only Chinese newspaper left in the peninsula not linked by shareholding to any political party.