New Straits Times, Malaysia 7th June 2001
Resolutions against Nanyang buy
1,500 Selangor MCA members join top leaders in objection
By M.K.Megan, Chow Kum Hor and Firdaus Abdullah
SHAH ALAM, Wed. - Seven MCA central committee members were joined by more than 1,500 members from Selangor at a special gathering here tonight to protest the party's acquisition of Nanyang Press Holdings.
They passed two resolutions - one urging the party leadership to reconsider the takeover and another demanding the leadership respect the wishes of the Chinese community, many of whom had expressed unhappiness over the acquisition.
"Any action that defies the views of the community will result in MCA being abandoned by the community," said the second resolution.The two resolutions were unanimously adopted at the three-and-a-half hour special gathering which also doubled as a briefing session on the takeover.
Among the CC members who addressed the gathering were vice-presidents Datuk Chua Jui Meng, Datuk Chan Kong Choy (MP Selayang), youth chief Datuk Ong Tee Keat (MP Ampang Jaya), Klang MP Tan Yee Kew, Rawang State Assemblyman Tang See Hang and Fu Ah Kiow.
MCA deputy president, Datuk Lim Ah Lek, was also present at the meeting. Others who attended the gathering, held at the Shah Alam Club, were Subang Jaya State Assemblyman Lee Hwa Beng and Serdang MP Yap Pian Hon and former PJ Utara MP Vincent Lim.
Fourteen of Selangor's 17 division heads, besides all divisional youth and Wanita chiefs, came out in force to support the gathering. The absentees were those from PJ Utara, PJ Selatan and Ulu Selangor divisions.
Chan, in his capacity as Selangor MCA deputy chief, who later spoke to reporters after the briefing, said: "The resolutions will be submitted to the CC as soon as possible." The briefing appeared to be well received judging from the applause from the crowd. The crowd streamed into the hall as early as 7pm and kept coming throughout the night.(MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik is the Selangor liaison committee chief).
Chan said similar gatherings will be held in Perak tomorrow and in Pahang on Saturday. Several top party leaders are expected to attend. Chan explained that the gathering was initiated by Selangor MCA members who felt they had the right to demand an explanation on the takeover.
Last Wednesday, the MCA central committee passed a resolution for the party's investment arm, Huaren Holdings Sdn Bhd, to ac quire a 72.23 per cent equity stake in Nanyang Press Holdings Berhad (Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press).
Huaren Holdings also owns 43.52 per cent stake in Star Publications Bhd, which publishes The Star.
However, the controversial deci sion was not unanimous as eight prominent individuals, including Lim, Chua and Chan objected to the move.
The others who were also against the decision were Ong, Tan, Tang, Fu and another central committee member Datuk Wong Mook Leong.Asked if such gatherings would have any adverse impact on the party and Government, Chan said it need not be so.
Various quarters representing the Chinese community and professional groups had openly voiced their objection to the move.
The latest to join the long list of those who objected to the takeover was Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik.