[Lagi satu langkah menarik oleh masyarakat Cina membantah langkah mengambil alih suratkabar oleh MCA. Kali ini tindakkan memboikot ke seluruh negara semua pemimpin MCA yang terjebak dalam kontroversi itu.

Bagaimana dengan reaksi masyarakat melayu ketika akhbar melayu rebah satu persatu??? Bukankah kita lebih banyak membisu dan sekarang semua sudah pun lesu? Nampaknya orang melayu memang me-layu.... patutlah begitu mudah Mahathir mencengkam dan menipu.
- Editor]

Straits Times of Singapore
4th June 2001

Chinese groups to boycott MCA leaders

KUALA LUMPUR - The coalition of Chinese groups opposed to the takeover of two Chinese newspapers by the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), are initiating a nationwide boycott of party leaders for their role in the controversy.

The politicians targeted are 32 members of the party's top decision-making body who gave their nod for the deal.

The coalition has asked Chinese guilds and associations to ignore them and not to invite them to any of their functions 'so that they will go into oblivion'.

Some of the more radical members in the coalition are even pushing the idea of printing posters of these leaders to be put up in prominent places, coalition coordinator Tang Ah Chai told The Straits Times.

It is uncertain how effective the boycott will be but the move is likely to widen the rift between the MCA and many of these Chinese NGOs.

At a top-level MCA meeting on Wednesday, 32 of the 40-member central committee supported the purchase of Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press in the face of widespread opposition from the Chinese community.

The leaders on the 'hit list' include party president Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik and vice-presidents Datuk Dr Fong Chan On and Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.

The controversial purchase of the newspapers by Huaren Management, a subsidiary of the MCA-owned Huaren Holdings, from Malaysian tycoon Quek Leng Chan sent shock waves through the Chinese community.

The Chinese newspapers have traditionally enjoyed greater latitude than the Malay and English media and the community is concerned that this will end with the political monopoly of their vernacular media.

Reports that another Chinese daily, Sin Chew Jit Poh, may buy half of Huaren's stake in the two newspapers has only heightened the concern.

Members of the opposing coalition include NGOs such as the Dong Jiao Zong or the Chinese education movement, which views the takeover as an attempt to stifle its voice.

A surprise member of the coalition is the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, which has tended to side with the MCA or tried to remain neutral on controversial issues.--Joceline Tan

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg