The controversy over the MCA takeover of Nanyang Press Holdings has resulted in many things being said of many people, some fair, some unfair, some just plain lies.

Now that the situation has somewhat calmed down, I wish to make some rational observations about the various allegations against The Star and certain journalists in the company.

Let me make four qualifications before I present my case.

Firstly, what I am writing is strictly my personal opinion and does not reflect that of the newspaper I am attached to. I am currently an assistant editor in The Star , a very junior position in the paper, which means that I am not involved in policy matters or decision-making, and hence am not authorised to represent the company in making public statements. I write this in my personal capacity as a concerned citizen.

Secondly, although what I write is my own personal view, I have more than 25 years of working experience in the newspaper industry and can claim to write with a certain amount of professional authority.

I had worked in the now defunct National Echo , New Straits Times , Malay Mail , The Star and even The Sun . I was at one time the general-secretary of the National Union of Journalists Malaysia. I present these credentials not to boost my own image but to show that what I write is not mere hearsay but the result of years of experience and interaction in the local newspaper circle.

Thirdly, although I was at one time a member of the MCA, I resigned from the party after the Koon Swan-Yee Pan fight.

In fact, in the eyes of my friends, I am more of an anti-establishment person now, being very involved in issues related to truth, justice, press freedom and human rights. I count as my good friends people like Lim Kit Siang and his son Guan Eng, both of whom I have great respect and high regard for. I am also a long-time member of Aliran and had served in its editorial board. I mention these facts to show that I am no apologist for the MCA.

Fourthly, as one who is committed to truth, justice, human rights and press freedom, I am not in favour of the MCA taking over Nanyang and so cannot be said to write in support of the deal.

Now, my observations:

1) One of the misconceptions in the whole Nanyang controversy is the role of The Star in the takeover deal. Everyone seems to link the takeover to The Star ! Few, however, understand that the newspaper is an innocent party in the whole scenario.

The whole thing revolves around a major shareholder (Huaren) of The Star using its shares in the company as a collateral for a bank loan to buy Nanyang. This is not irregular. Any shareholder of any company can mortgage his shares for a bank loan to buy anything or use them to get an overdraft facility. So, I don't see why The Star should be cited in the controversy.

2) The claim that the MCA took over the publishing company in the late 1970s to use it as a political tool is to ignore a historical fact. Actually, it was the late first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj who approached the MCA to take over The Star to prevent Tun Mustapha of Sabah from gaining control of the paper.

The Tunku, who had retired from politics by then, became chairperson of The Star . It was the Tunku's weekly Monday column and the weekly 'Without Fear or Favour' column of the late Mr Opposition Tan Sri Tan Chee Khoon which actually propelled The Star into a very popular newspaper, 'The People's Paper'.

In fact, during pre-Operasi Lalang days, The Star was said to be "owned by the MCA, run by the MIC for the DAP," because of the few top editorial executives who were Indians, people like Sunday Star editor Nada and senior editor Menon.

In fact, I remember when H'ng Hung Yong was editor-in-chief, he stood for election in Bukit Bendara in Penang under the MCA ticket, and one of his instructions to us was that we should not use his picture or play up stories of his campaign. In fact, Hung Yong gave instructions to us to give the opposition a fair coverage. He lost the election.

The Star , in fact, played up such controversial issues like the Bank Rakyat scandal. The then Aliran president Chandra Muzaffar had a field day when almost all his statements and letters were published almost in toto . Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who was then challenging Dr Mahathir Mohamad for the Umno presidency, was given extensive daily coverage in the paper.

Some of us believe that The Star was closed at the launch of Operasi Lalang because of its so-called support for Razaleigh. So, to say that the MCA took over The Star to use it as its political tool is not quite accurate, at least during the Tunku years.

It was only after Operasi Lalang that The Star began to tone down on so-called critical anti-establishment news.

3) The personal attacks on various editorial executives of The Star in letters published by malaysiakini ('Ling lies about non-interference', May 30) and one scandalising PC Liew in Seachange Malaysia are certainly uncalled for. Although I do not know Liew very well and had never actually worked directly under him (I was based in Penang and he in PJ), I feel that the personal attack on him is rather unfair and unjustified. As a journalist, Liew can be said to be among the fairest and best in the country.

The issue of Star business editor Wong Sulong being an Australian PR and so his loyalty to the country being questionable is certainly a very childish argument.

To call chief news editor Chua Yew Kay a crony of Dr Ling Liong Sik is perhaps the joke of the year. Chua is certainly a harmless and humble gentleman with integrity and principles. I know him and he is not the sort of person to be a crony of anyone, particularly politicians.

To imply that senior editor June Wong got promoted for being a good friend of Dr Ling Liong Sik's wife Ena is surely very unjust. June has proven herself through her writings and leadership that she deserves to be where she is; in fact, she should be in a higher position, given her years of experience.

To associate managing editor Michael Aeria with those "not so intelligent but cunning" is the unkindest cut of all. Of course, there are people who are "not so intelligent but cunning'', but Mike shouldn't be linked with them. I have known Mike since he first joined The Star after graduating from Universiti Malaya and, although we are not close friends, I have found him to be an honest chap, fair and transparent. He had worked hard to get to where he is and he deserves to be given the position he is holding. Although he is junior to me in terms of years of experience in journalism, I respect him as a good boss, a warm colleague.

I believe that all these personal attacks are unnecessary and unfair. I hope malaysiakini will verify with people in the know before damaging the names of good people.

Finally, let me close by saying that I have nothing to gain for writing this. I am about to retire soon and am not expecting any promotion or looking forward to any extension of my tenure in The Star . My whole purpose is to see that justice and fairness are there. I am committed to stand up for truth, justice and human rights.