Call on MCA rank-and-file to put the interests of   the Chinese community and the nation  above that of the factional  interests of Liong Sik and to stand up for a free, responsible and independent press

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Media Conference Statement 2
by Lim Kit Siang 

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As the   MCA acquisition of the Nanyang Press Holdings Bhd,  the  two Chinese dailies in its stable of holdings, Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press,  will be placed  under double jeopardy: firstly, political interference by the MCA and secondly, interference by UMNO and UMNO proxies, the MCA rank-and-file should demonstrate that they are more sensitive and responsive to the  overwhelming objections and criticisms of the Chinese community to  any MCA takeover of the two Chinese newspapers.

The MCA rank-and-file should demand suspension of all MCA negotiations through Huaren Holdings Bhd or  Star Publications (M) Bhd. for the acquisition of Nanyang Press Holdings until the Chinese community is satisfied that the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese community and the nation would not be sacrificed or compromised  to the factional interests of the present MCA President in such a takeover.

At minimum, there should be a four-point  iron-clad guarantee that:
 

• the two Chinese newpapers  would not end  up like the Malayan Thung Pau, degenerating into a party mouthpiece and losing all  public respect and credibility  as an independent and professional newspaper;
• that the professionalism, independence and integrity of the journalists in the two Chinese newspapers would be fully respected;
• that there would be no witch-hunt or victimisation of any form against journalists or staff in the two newspapers on grounds either of being critics of MCA or the Liong Sik faction in the MCA; and
• that there would be no political interference in any manner with the news and editorial conduct and policy of the two newspapers, which would be  left completely in the hands of the editorial board.

These four  points should be entrenched in a Charter of Press Freedom for Nanyang Siang Pao and China Press which should be executed by the MCA whether through Huaren or Star Publications, and there should be a mechanism for the establishment of a panel of independent and eminent Malaysians to monitor and implement the guarantees of the Charter of Press Freedom.

 (25/5/2001)