Media giants merger: Umno grassroots say 'nay'
Malaysiakini.com
Dec 5, 2006
Muhammad Razif

The Umno grassroots have voiced their objection to the proposed merger between media groups Utusan Melayu and New Straits Times Press (NSTP).

They said the party leadership must hear the voices of the members before deciding on the merger.

In view of this, they said an open discussion or special briefing must be held by the leaders at the state and branch levels to clear the confusion and doubts regarding this issue.

However, they said there would be no objections if Utusan took over NSTP as this would strengthen the Malay agenda.

The grassroots also expressed disappointed with some of the Umno leaders, especially those from the Youth wing, for keeping silent on this issue.

Ipoh Barat Umno acting Youth chief Faizal Azumu said although the merger proposal is a corporate step, it must nevertheless be explained to the Malays and Umno members.

“The two media organisations are the oldest in the country and are closely related to the struggle of the Malay race so the Malays must know what is happening.

“Actually, a large number of Malays do not agree to the proposal, so we need an open discussion or special briefing,” he said when contacted today.

Prior to this, he said if there are any major issues involving the interest of the Malays, discussions and briefings are held to obtain feedback from the grassroots.

“Why is this old practice not being continued? We don’t need an EGM (emergency general meeting), a special briefing would do. The leadership must be more open,” he added.

Editorial freedom

Petaling Jaya Utara Umno Youth chief Mohamad Azli Mohemed Saad also agreed. He said the leadership must obtain the feedback from the party grassroots.

He said while a special briefing or obtaining feedback can be time consuming processes, it must however be carried out to avoid any implications that a rash decision can bring about.

“We do not want to see the newspapers in Malaysia sit under one roof, reporting the same things without any competition. At the end of the day, it is the reader who will lose out.

“If a merger cannot be avoided, then the leaders must ensure that the editorial department remains free and allowed to compete with each other,” he added.

Non-governmental organisation Malaysian Malay secretariat chairperson Wan Azrain Adnan also expressed disappointment with Umno Youth leaders over their silence on this issue.

“Where is the voice of Umno Youth. Nobody is speaking up to defend this priceless Umno treasure (Utusan Melayu),” he exclaimed.

“As an Umno member, I reject this merger. But I will fully support it if Utusan Melayu takes over NSTP. Let’s buy over NSTP and Media Prima.

“The time has come for Umno to hold a direct stake in NSTP and not through proxies,” added the Kemaman Umno Youth member.

The ruling party took over Utusan after an acrimonious battle with the then newspaper's editors and journalists in 1961.

However, the party's control over NSTP has always been through nominee business groups such as Media Prima, which has a 43 percent stake in NSTP.

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