Battle for paper may hurt KL govt

Battle for paper may hurt KL govt

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia's deputy leader on Thursday conceded a key party in the ruling coalition is beset with infighting over a move to take over two influential newspapers, and warned it could affect the government's standing.

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi conceded that the Malaysian Chinese Association was split over its plan to buy control of the two Chinese-language dailies, the Bernama national news agency reported.

"I am sad with what's happening now, MCA is split into two factions and each wants to campaign," either for or against the takeover plan, Abdullah was quoted as saying.

The association is a key member of the National Front government led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, and the largest party representing Malaysia's ethnic Chinese community, which comprises more than 30 percent of the 22 million population.