Barisan Nasional component party Gerakan today exerted more pressure on MCA to reconsider its controversial takeover of two Chinese newspapers, saying that the RM230 million spent on the deal can be used for other useful projects.

The pressure from the party's women wing and a state-level youth wing followed an earlier statement by their chief Dr Lim Keng Yaik who urged the MCA to take heed of protests over its decision to take over Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press dailies.

Gerakan Negeri Sembilan youth chairperson Paul Yong said the amount paid by MCA in the deal may be used in various other ways to benefit and assist the people.

"With that kind of money, many more projects such as the Tunku Abdul Rahman College can be built and many more schools for the Chinese community can be constructed," he said.

"There are endless ways and means to help the community, instead of purchasing two newspapers which the people will not support."

He added that MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik must show his sincerity by reconsidering the deal in the face of such overwhelming negative reaction.

While both Gerakan and MCA are part of the ruling coalition, both parties compete for votes from the Chinese community which constitute the second-largest after the Malays.

Party organ

Last week, MCA bought Nanyang Press Holdings, which publishes Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press , for RM230 million in cash through the party's investment arm Huaren Holdings. Huaren also holds a controlling stake in the leading English daily The Star .

The issue has become a thorn in the Chinese community as there are fears that the dailies would face the same fate as Thung Pau , a daily in the early 1990s which collapsed after MCA took over operations.

The Committee Against the Takeover of Nanyang Press (CAT), a coalition of writers and activists, has also expressed concern that MCA would stifle press freedom by wielding its influence on the dailies.

Gerakan's Yong also urged Ling to heed the call made by Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday for the MCA leaders to iron out their differences over the takeover as the issue might affect Barisan Nasional if left unresolved.

Irrelevant issue

Meanwhile, the Gerakan women wing said it supported Abdullah's concern over the strong grassroots opposition against the takeover and asked Ling to heed the widespread objection.

The movement's secretary-general Ng Siew Lai said Ling's offer to sell off shares which would result in MCA becoming only a minority shareholder was irrelevant.

"Ling does not seem to understand that the main point of contention is the fact that people do not want any political interference or influence over Nanyang Siang Pau and

"All this boils down to a matter of press freedom. People are calling upon the MCA to sell all stakes in Nanyang Press and until this happens, the community will continue to voice their concerns."

Ling said yesterday that MCA will sell its stake in Nanyang Press if there were good offers.

"I will look at the proposals and if they are good enough, the MCA is even willing to settle for a minority stake in the company," he said.

Deep division

The deal has also created deep divisions within the party as some senior leaders are against the takeover.

In the party's central committee meeting to decide the takeover, eight voted against the deal, with 32, including Ling, supporting.

The opposing eight were deputy president Lim Ah Lek, vice-presidents Chua Jui Meng and Chan Kong Choy, youth chief Ong Tee Keat, Klang MP Tan Yee Kew, Rawang state assembly representative Tang See Hang, Mentakab MP Fu Ah Kiow and committee member Wong Mook Leong.