MCA President Datuk Seri Dr. Ling Liong Sik should have known by now,
if he had not known earlier, of the massive opposition of the Chinese society
to any MCA takever of Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press because of the
dual role played by the Chinese press which would be irretrievably undermined
following the MCA acquisition:
The MCA leadership took a stand against the Malaysian society on
the issues of Vision Schools, Suqiu, the Kuala Lumpur cemetry issue, Damansara
Chinese primary school and fair university admission policy in the past
18 months, and there would be no room or space for the Malaysian Chinese
community to ventilate and defend their legitimate rights and interests
in connection with these issues if the Chinese press have become MCA moutpieces.
The news report of the gangsterish behaviour by the MCA MP for Ipoh Barat, Datuk C.S. Ho outside the MCA headquarters yesterday in the peaceful demonstration by political parties and NGOs to stop the MCA from acquiring the two Chinese newspapers is a good example of what would happen if more and more newspapers come under the ownership and control of MCA or other political parties in the Barisan Nasional.
Except for one newspaper, it was reported that the scuffle outside the MCA headquarters was triggered off by the gangsterish behaviour of the MCA MP who was abusive and waved obscene hand gestures as well as instigating his people to “beat up” the demonstrators. As a result, a 21-year-old student visiting the book fair in Wisma MCA’s lobby was punched in the face.
The only newspaper to report differently is the MCA-owned Star, which reported that the youth assaulted the MCA MP, “punched him in the face and kicked him, causing him to tumble down a flight of stairs” - which nobody had seen.
When Nanyang Siang Pao and China Press come under MCA ownership and control, these two newspapers would have to report “fairy tales” like the Star report today.
Ho’s gangsterish behaviour should be condemned in the strongest manner possible, especially as he is a MP.
The battle to oppose MCA acquisition of Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press has just started, even if the deal is signed later today.DAP offers co-operation with MCA leaders, members and branches on the common platform of opposing MCA takeover of Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press, as on this issue, the interests of the Chinese community and Chinese education and the interests of the nation for a free press must take precedence over the interests of any political party, what more a faction of a party.
(31/5/2001)