Speculation in the Chinese community is rife that Sin Chew Jit Poh is also involved in the takeover of Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press. As a loyal reader of Sin Chew, I hope the top management would make a clear-cut statement to confirm or deny the speculation because to remain silent would be at the cost of losing its credibility in the eyes of readers like me.

Thus far, Sin Chew is performing its role as a news provider rather well, although we cannot expect perfection given the legal and political constraints. It tries to be impartial, fair and truthful in news reporting and the editorial management of opinion articles. That is why it is popular.

But Sin Chew should not take the support of readers and the Chinese community for granted. It should not involve itself at all in the takeover bid. Otherwise, it will be seen as too pro-Dr Ling Liong Sik and -MCA, and lose its credibility. It should pull out from any such deal even if negotiations have started.

In fact, if Sin Chew remains financially and editorially independent, it would certainly benefit in the long run from MCA's takeover of Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press, for once MCA takes over these two rival newspapers and run them as propaganda mouthpieces, the Chinese community will support Sin Chew even more as the last bastion of our freedom and dignity.

MCA is a bad name now in the Chinese community. MCA is silly in thinking that its acquisition of the two Chinese dailies would enable it to run them as propaganda mouthpieces or to earn money from them.

Dr Ling has not yet tasted the fury of the Chinese community once they feel strong enough to protect the independence of the Chinese newspapers as bastions of our culture, freedom and dignity. The fury will come very soon, for massive networks and organisations are being formed to strike back at MCA.

Mark my words: MCA will fail in its propaganda effort as well as business-wise. If the Chinese community can fight against the Japanese invasion, there is no reason why we cannot fight MCA politically with the same valour.

Don't play the fool with the real Chinese, Dr Ling, OK?