(AFP) Bitter opposition to the takeover of two Chinese newspapers appeared far from over today as critics warned of more action including street protests to voice their rage.

The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), the second largest party in the ruling coalition, confirmed last week its investment arm was taking over Nanyang Press, which publishes Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press .

Teoh Kian Hoon, 61-year-old former editorial columnist with Nanyang Siang Pau said that the "battle over the takeover will drag on for some time".

For a start, 40 contributors of newspaper articles for Nanyang have announced they would stop contributing to the affected newspapers with immediate effect, he said.

Teoh added that they would also stop contributing to Sin Chew Jit Poh because it was believed that Sin Chew 's owners were also taking up a stake in Nanyang Press.

To mark their opposition, Nanyang and

China Press employees planned a picket early tomorrow outside their workplace in Petaling Jaya, a suburb just west of Kuala Lumpur, he said.

Teoh, who left Nanyang last December after 25 years with the daily, said he feared the worst for the 74-year-old newspaper.

"It will be mismanaged and will go down the hill and may even evantually be forced to close down," he said.

Teoh cited the saga of once popular Chinese newspaper Tong Bao . It was set up in 1957 and MCA acquired it in 1981. MCA sold it in 1992 and the daily subsequently stopped publication in 1994.

Yellow ribbons

Critics are wearing yellow ribbons in a symbolic protest at what they see as a blow to press freedom.

A source from the opposition National Justice Party (Keadilan) said it would hold a demonstration outside the MCA headquarters. The MCA holds its weekly council meeting on Wednesday.

Yesterday about 100 people had staged a protest over MCA's takeover, saying the voice of the Chinese community would be lost.

"We want the MCA to stop the takeover immediately," said Jean Lee, spokesman of the group calling themselves "Against MCA's takeover of Nanyang Press", was quoted by The Sun .

The protestors, comprising students and concerned people, unfurled banners which read: "Media = People's voice and not to be controlled by party". They also began a one-day hunger strike.

Lim Kit Siang, chairman of the opposition Chinese dominated Democratic Action Party, described the MCA takeover as a political game designed to consolidate the interest of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.

"It appears to be part of a larger political game plan to consolidate the interest of the National Front and sacrifice the larger national interest ahead of the 2004 polls," he told AFP .

Lim said education ranked high among the issues which were most sensitive to the Chinese - whether mother-tongue education or fair higher educational opportunities.

Education controversies

The Chinese press unlike other language dailies provide full coverage about the educational controversies close to their heart, he said.

"It is another blow to what little is left for an open, democratic and vibrant media. With the MCA takeover, this little space will also be obliterated," he said.

MCA president Ling Liong Sik, who is also the government's transport minister, on Friday repeated pledges not to interfere in editorial matters at the two Chinese dailies.

The Chinese press in Malaysia has traditionally been more independent than the English and Malay-language media.

Nanyang Siang Pau had a circulation of 177,800 in 1999 while China Press had a circulation of 204,200.

The Hong Leong group, through its subsidiary Hume Industries, is to sell its 70 percent stake in Nanyang Press.