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Chinese newspapers have their own unique missions as well as principles of their belief. They do not do things with the narrow objective of advancing their race-related interests. Instead, they have acted with rights of individuals, social progress as well as national development in mind.

By TAY TIAN YAN/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily

THE MANY controversies in recent weeks seem to have revolved around the Chinese newspapers, including the accusations that Chinese newspapers are lagging in national ideology and are excessively focused on race-oriented issues.

Given the fact that the Malaysian society is so segmented and ethnic values could differ vastly from one race to another, people from different backgrounds will often hold very different views.

Consequently, certain quarters may tend to be prejudiced in defining "national ideology" and "race-oriented issues." With regard to this, Chinese newspapers have often responded with an open mind based on pragmatic needs.

Chinese newspapers have their own unique missions as well as principles of their belief. They do not do things with the narrow objective of advancing their race-related interests. Instead, they have acted with rights of individuals, social progress as well as national development in mind.

Firstly, Chinese newspapers defend Chinese education as well as culture, not because of racism or chauvinism that some people might have thought. This is done based on the fact that our country has been established upon the foundation of multi-ethnicity multiculturalism. Given such an advantaged condition, we can enrich the culture of this country, making it more competitive and vibrant economically.

At the same time, Chinese newspapers have never opposed to the status of Bahasa Malaysia as the country's national language. We encourage the learning of Chinese language while giving due emphasis to the learning of Bahasa Malaysia, English and even other languages. Through such an approach, we will cultivate a truly open and progressive mentality among Malaysians.

Chinese newspapers strive to fight for equal rights for all Malaysians, and are strongly opposed to the discrimination against any individual on ethnic grounds. This is to defend and safeguard social justice and equality as well as other values such as human rights and freedom. In addition, this will also strengthen the country's overall productivity and competitiveness.

Chinese newspapers also emphasise the need of lending a hand to the marginalized in our society, but not based on ethnic grounds.

Secondly, Chinese newspapers hold firmly to their belief that the media should be a public tool instead of becoming a tool submissive to any authority of power. They must transcend party lines and sectarian interests and be the defenders of public interests.

Chinese newspapers play a watchdog role on government policies, condemn acts of corruption and abuse of power, oppose any policy that deviates from public interests. At the same time, we advocate and promote sound policies that will further consolidate the country's development.

As such, we fight for a broader scope of speech freedom and more open policies that will allow the media to truly play their professional roles.

Chinese newspapers want to become a powerful force that will propel the national development, but this could only be achieved with more progressive media.

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