PETALING JAYA: The MCA should sell off its remaining shares in Media Chinese International Limited (MCIL) to restore press freedom in the country, said party vice-president Datuk Donald Lim who is vying for the deputy president’s post in upcoming party polls.

Lim said MCA still owned 3.5% of MCIL that controlled four Chinese dailies - Sin Chew Daily, China Press, Nanyang Siang Pau and Guang Ming Daily. The shares are worth RM47mil.

He said the Chinese community had been upset with MCA’s purchase of Nanyang in the 1990s, and he felt that the time had come to push for press freedom.

“I think at this juncture, especially after March 8, the rakyat is looking for change.

“Some people might ask me why I am only doing this now. I am not only saying this today, I have always suggested selling MCA’s remaining shares since I was elected vice-president in 2005,” he said on Monday.

He also called on MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, whom he said was the mastermind behind the share purchase, to explain to MCA members about the party’s losses after the Nanyang purchase.

“In the last MCA central committee meeting, Datuk Wong Mook Leong said that MCA lost RM100mil in the last purchase.

“If this RM100mil had been used as funds for all 191 divisions, each division would have had RM500,000, and they could have done a lot with the money,” he said.

Lim also said that the purchase of the Chinese newspaper had not been “about buying the paper, but it was an issue of political strength”.

Asked if this was a ploy to win in the elections, he said: “No.”

He also voiced concerns about Media Prima’s monopoly over four television channels - TV3, Ntv7, 8tv and Tv9.

“All these stations are controlled by Media Prima. Perhaps this is something that Barisan Nasional should also review,” he said.

Asked what about media freedom of the English press, he said that it was not an issue “as they play a different role”.

“I am proposing a re-look at the media industry. People want the press to be free. Conduct a survey to see if I am right or wrong.

“If I am wrong, I will apologise,” he said.

- The Star

Comments (6)

...
written by Shimshon, October 07, 2008 07:27:27

UMNO Putras - and some of the elite Malays (most who we hardly know who they are) - should start the ball rolling - by selling off shares - not just of the media, but many other companies, corporations, etc.

All because of the NEP & Ketuanan Melayu abuse - ie 'Never Ending Policy'!

Political connections/ties to accumulate, and keep on accumulating (massive) wealth - at the expense of the nation and common folks of all races - has to end.

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 7

Votes: +7

...
written by KARMANNGHIA, October 07, 2008 07:37:33

'MCA should sell off shares in Chinese media'

Chinese has been extremely upset with loop sided reporting from these dailies.

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 6

Votes: +6

...
written by DreamLady, October 07, 2008 07:47:29

Good suggestion, Donald lim, the next wise thing you should do is to ask your MCA counterparts to leave BN, and start a party of your own, based strongly on the teaching of Confucius. As it is now, most of the Chinese have forgotten the priceless virtues handed down by the Great man of ancient China. He abhors greed; he shuns all vices; he encourages truthfulness of self; he is steadfast in whatever decision he makes; he sees beyond the horizon to detect evils..

As long as MCA focus mainly on preaching but not doing anything worth mentioning, don't ever think about creating your name in history just by talking, and talking..

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 7

Votes: +7

...
written by miwaki, October 07, 2008 08:04:13

If by disposing off shares of MCIL could restore the confidence of Chinese Malaysians towards MCA then Donald Duck Lim must be underestimating the intelligence of chinese in this country.Hey Donald,we reject MCA is because you people have no balls to stand up against corruption and incompetence of the government,not because MCA is holding 3% of the shares of MCIL.

Look at you Donald,do you have what it takes to be the Leader of MCA ? You can't even speak proper Mandarin.

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 5

Votes: +5

...
written by MsiaCTzen, October 07, 2008 08:08:48

Since 1969, MCA has lost it's Balls.They are now holding on to their 'joystick'.
Every move by UMNO they have to agree and go back shaking their 'joystick'.

Disolve MCA. All MCA members should join either DAP,PKR or PAS.

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 6

Votes: +6

...
written by allmenarebrothers, October 07, 2008 09:53:09

UMNO Putras together with the Slaves from MCA, the Beggars from Gerakan & the Mandores of MIC & the Destitutes from PPP should all sell themselves & close down their parties for the good of the Rakyat of Malaysia.
This has been foretold in the Book.

report abuse

disagree 0

agree 3

Votes: +3