Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary’s recent moves to cement his position in the local media scene can be said to an incongruous one. For one, he belongs to that small group of Malaysian tycoons who remain steadfastly media-shy.

No journalist can recall seeing him at a press conference or even issuing a media statement. Yet going by his moves, culminating with this week’s purchase of a block of shares in Media Prima Bhd , it is obvious that the 67-year-old Syed Mokhtar – a billionaire who has his hands in many other sectors – is in love with the media scene.

This passion dates back to the early 1990s when via his vehicle Puncak Semangat Sdn Bhd, he bought a 10% stake in Star Publications Bhd (now Star Media Group Bhd ) from Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

However that affair ended when the Asian financial crisis hit and Syed Mokhtar divested his stake in the Star in 1997.

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