There is a new media mogul in town in the form of well-connected billionaire Syed Mokhtar Albukhary, and observers are concerned that this could lead to more media control in the New Malaysia.

The businessperson, who built his empire during Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first term as prime minister, recently increased his stake in Media Prima Bhd to become the media conglomerate's majority shareholder.

This effectively gave him control over four newspapers, four free-to-air television stations, four radio stations, a production studio, an outdoor advertising company and digital media...