The speech of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr.Mahathir Mohamad in the winding up of the 55th UMNO General Assembly where Mahathir gave full support for the MCA takeover although he said he did not direct MCA to do so and challenged those who opposed the deal had saved the day for Liong Sik, for Mahathir would have influenced at least scores of MCA delegates who had doubts before the MCA EGM.
If 79 MCA delegates who had voted for the MCA takeover of Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press had not been influenced by Mahathir's speech and voted against the deal, the MCA acquisition of the two Chinese newspapers would not only have to be scuttled and abandoned, Ling would also have to resign as MCA President as it would be tantamount to a vote of no confidence in him by the MCA delegates.
In fact, the 1,176-1,019 vote at the MCA EGM with 47% of the delegates opposed to the deal is itself a clear and ringing vote of no confidence in Ling as MCA President by the MCA delegates but nobody expects him to resign as MCA President, as he would follow the injunction that a victory of one vote is enough of a win for him!
If Ling is not prepared to revoke the MCA deal to take over Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press, then the 1,019 MCA delegates who voted against the deal should work with everyone outside MCA opposed to the MCA takeover of the two Chinese newspapers to compel the Ling and his faction to totally relinquish MCA ownership of Nanyang Press Holdings to non-political and independent group which can ensure a free, independent and responsible press.
(24/6/2001)