The MCA must guarantee the independence of two Chinese dailies if it is successful in acquiring them via the party-controlled Star Publications Bhd, said an opposition leader today.

DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang said MCA must be prepared to sign a Charter of Press Freedom to guarantee respect for the independence, professionalism and integrity of the journalists in the two Chinese newspapers.

"The party must ensure there will be no political interference of any kind with the news, editorial content and conduct of the two papers in any MCA takeover," said Lim in a press statement.

The media industry has been alerted by news that MCA, through Star Publications, was in discussions for the acquisition of Nanyang Press Holdings Bhd, the publisher of two Chinese dailies, the Nanyang Siang Pau and the China Press .

At present, Nanyang Press is controlled by Hong Leong Bhd through Hume Industries Bhd. MCA controls Star, which publishes the English daily The Star , through its investment arm Huaren Holdings Sdn Bhd.

Industry sources say that MCA is looking to take control over the two dailies, which have a combined circulation of more than 350,000, as a channel for the party to reach out to the Chinese community.

Favourable Expansion

At the moment, Sin Chew Jit Poh has the largest circulation among Chinese dailies, followed by China Press and Nanyang Siang Pau . According to 1999 statistics, Sin Chew Jit Poh has a circulation of 289,514, followed by China Press with 204, 225 and Nanyang 177, 824.

Although Sin Chew Jit Poh is not directly or indirectly owned by MCA, the newspaper is a known supporter of MCA president Ling Liong Sik.

The Edge business weekly said in its latest edition a takeover of Nanyang Press by the Star would find favour with the government.

"Observers point that presently, the government does not have a direct influence on any of the Chinese newspapers, which are generally owned by independent business groups, unlike the English and Bahasa Malaysia dailies, which are seen as linked to the government," reported the weekly.

Star, in a statement to the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE) today, said that it welcomed opportunities to expand its activities including "the possibilities to invest in Nanyang Press".

It, however, added that it has not made any proposal for any acquisition that requires an announcement under the KLSE listing requirements.

Resign

On another matter, Lim said all four MCA ministers in the cabinet should resign following reports that the prime minister will soon appoint a non-MCA Chinese affairs special assistant and a non-MCA press secretary to advise him on matters relating to the Chinese community.

"They must resign as they have become so ineffective and untrustworthy in representing the views and aspirations of the Chinese community to the cabinet and government," said Lim.

The four MCA ministers are Transport minister Ling Liong Sik, Health minister Chua Jui Meng, Human Resources minister Fong Chan Onn and Housing and Local Government minister Ong Ka Ting.

Malaysiakini reported yesterday that Dr Mahathir Mohamad will make the appointments "to help him forge a closer relationship between the Chinese community and the government" as "the gap between the community and the government was widening".