Seven young media activists are demanding answers from MCA president Ong Ka Ting over the party's direct involvement in the media industry, saying that information released to date has not been satisfactory.

In a Mandarin-language open letter released to the media, Lee Khai Loon, Ng Yap Hwa, Ng Chong Soon, Heng Hui Yee, Lee Huat Seng, Lim Sook Swan and Lua Khang Wei have written to Ong, submitting seven questions that have gone unanswered to date.

They claimed that a dialogue conducted at MCA headquarters on Dec 1 did not offer enough information on the issue of political involvement in ownership of media organisations. Party leaders at the event only pledged support for a parliamentary select committee on press freedom.

Among the questions:

- What are the details of the MCA's "political agenda" in taking over Nanyang Press Holdings in May 2001?

- If this was due - as claimed - to negative reports by Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press on the Lunas by-election which saw Barisan Nasional defeated, was MCA pressured to take over by ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad?

- If MCA is a democratic party and considers the media to be an important institution in the democratic process, why did the party buy a media organisation and thus destroy the nature of democracy?

- As a BN component party, what is MCA's plan and vision in promoting press freedom?

- What is the party's opinion of media mogul Tiong Hiew King's purchase of four mainstream Chinese papers, thereby undermining pluralism of the Chinese press?

- Why did MCA allow Huaren Holdings to handle the Nanyang Press takeover if the purchase was to meet a political agenda? Is MCA trying to run away from its responsibility?

The activists said MCA should release its remaining stake of 20 percent in Nanyang Press to demonstrate respect for media freedom and freedom of expression, and allow other investors to purchase the shares.

"However, the buyers must not be Tiong or Media Prima, who have monopolised the media industry," they said.

They also called for repeal or review of media-related laws and for Freedom of Information legislation to be enacted.