The narrow margin by which the vote for the takeover of Nanyang Press Holdings was obtained at the MCA extraordinary general meeting yesterday, was an "ignominious victory" for party president Dr Ling Liong Sik, said an opposition leader today.

DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang added that the marginal win was the result of "dishonourable and dirty tactics" employed against the MCA delegates by Ling's faction.

"How many of them were influenced by the carrot and the stick, threatening reprisals on the one hand while promising candidacies, promotions and datukships on the other?" questioned Lim in a press statement.

He added that with Nanyang Press - publisher of dailies Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press - falling into the hands of MCA, the political ownership of the media in the country will be worsened.

"(Prime Minister Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) had asked why if Umno could own Utusan, MCA cannot own Nanyang. The answer is simple - two wrongs do not make a right!" said Lim.

Yesterday, at the MCA EGM, 1,019 delegates, or 47 percent, voted against the Nanyang takeover but the deal was endorsed with the backing of the other 1,176 delegates, with a margin of 157 votes.

The approval will enable MCA to proceed with its plan to divest a "strategic stake" to the interested parties.

Ling had made an offer two weeks ago that MCA is willing to divest a large portion of its Nanyang stake to a "strategic partner", leaving the party as a minor shareholder.

Let things cool off

He recently revealed that the party's investment arm, Huaren Holdings, has received three offers from potential investors, including one from a Chinese consortium led by prominent businessman Lim Guan Teik.

Guan Teik is seeking to buy the entire MCA stake in Nanyang Press as well as the party's complete withdrawal from the newspaper company.

When contacted today, he declined to comment whether the MCA general assembly's decision would make the group he leads change its mind concerning the offer.

"Let's not talk about it now. Let things cool off for the time being," he said.

Another key member of the group, Ngan Ching Wen, is currently overseas and could not be reached for comments.

Several other lobby groups including Chinese Organisations Against the Takeover of Nanyang Press by Political Party (Coat) and Writers' Alliance for Media Independence (Wami) have yet to decide their next move.

However, DAP chief Lim stressed that the MCA's endorsement of the deal yesterday would not stall the nationwide movement to force the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition's second largest party to relinquish its control of the newly acquired media group.

Lim added the resistance against the political control of Chinese papers should continue for the sake of the Chinese legitimate rights and education, press freedom and democracy in the country.

The Chinese community and lobby groups have strongly opposed the takeover from the outset as they fear that the takeover could further erode the editorial independence of the two major dailies under Nanyang.

Despite public criticism, Huaren proceeded to buy Nanyang Press from Hong Leong group tycoon Quek Leng Chan for RM230 million cash.

The deal was said to have eventually cost RM401 million as it involved some other acquisition costs and liabilities.

Yesterday, Ling reassured the public that there would not be interference in the daily operations of the two newly acquired press, saying that the deal was done in good faith to promote Chinese culture and aspirations.