Not many people know that the MCA takeover of the Nanyang Press Holdings which owns Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press was actually a directive from the PM himself.

This was revealed by a former senior journalist of Nanyang Siang Pau about three months ago. The PM was always upset with these newspapers because they always printed news that were not to the liking of the government.

That was why each time when the PM was asked by the foreign reporters about press freedom in the country, they were told to read Malaysia's vernacular newspapers. The PM was quoted as saying this not less then a couple of times. And today he 'cleverly' remained silent except only once he commented that it was a purely a business deal.

A few days ago we were told by MCA chief Dr Ling Liong Sik that the Nanyang shares might be sold to a friendly partner. Recently Chor Chee Heung, the deputy home minister, clarified to the Chinese community that the takeover was necessary in order to avoid another race from taking over the newspaper. From there, one can put two and two together.