KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- Several senators Thursday voiced their opposition to the proposed merger between the New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd (NSTP) and Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd (Utusan Malaysia).

They said that Utusan Malaysia would lose its identity if it was to come under the NSTP Group.

Senator Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir said if the proposed merger went through, "it will result in the monopoly of the media by one company."

"If it (media company) has the intention to topple the government, it can do it in two days. The first day through the television and the newspapers the next day," he said when debating the Supply Bill (2006) at the Dewan Negara Thursday.

"The country will be destroyed. So we have to be cautious (about this proposed merger)," said Musa.

Musa also questioned the government for allowing a particular media company to control all the media entities in the country.

"In the end, only RTM will be spared," he said. (RTM is a government entity).

Senator Datuk Wira Syed Ali Alhabshee said the merger could destroy the Malay identity.

"We have to know the history of Utusan Malaysia, that it was set up to become the voice of the Malays, to highlight the plight of the Malays. If the merger is allowed, I fear that the Malays will lose their identity," he said.

He urged the government to take a cautious stand about the proposed merger of the two media entities.

Senator Dr. Mohd Puad Zarkashi said: "The newspaper (Utusan Malaysia) has been long in existence, its contribution to the country is immense. Therefore, there is no need to merge."

Senator Datuk Jins Shamsuddin called for Utusan Malaysia to be kept as a single entity because the newspaper had contributed much to nation-building.

"Utusan Malaysia must be kept as it is because it is a national heritage, being the first newspaper that supported and championed the movement for independence (from the British)," he said.

The Dewan sits again on Monday.

-- BERNAMA