ASEAN Newspapers Printers president and chairman Anthony Cheng has resigned, and says he will leave the board on Saturday.

In a message to corporate members, he says he is ready to hand over to the group’s Malaysian directors: “My job is done,” he says.

Leaving the board will give the new president “a complete free hand to make his own mark”, and Cheng says the remaining board is “just as eager for a change”.

“I wish them well,” he says.

Anthony Cheng has presided over two ANP conferences following the group’s creation and its at times acrimonious transition from SEANG (South East Asia Newspaper Group) of which he had been elected president in 2009.

Thanking members for their confidence and support, he says leadership renewal is part and parcel of any organisation, and that ANP, even if it is less than two year old, “is no exception”.

He welcomed new members from Sabah and Koh Santepheap – who took part in last month’s Kuala Lumpur conference – and thanked “newspaper comrades” in Indonesia, including Topskor, Pikiran Rayaat, Gramedia Kompas and Temprina for support.

“Building ANP has been very challenging and fulfilling,  but having built it, I must move on for others to move in,” he says. “I still have work to do, outside of ANP.”

In a separate message to vendor partners, he acknowledges the shared interests of newspapers and partners: “You have never failed to respond positively whenever I called on your support,” he says.

“My leaving ANP will not affect our continued connection and contacts. I treasure my acquaintance and long term relationship with many of you. In or out of ANP, our paths will continue to cross.

“I hope you will continue your partnership with ANP in good time and in bad.”

Cheng says their support has enabled the group to build a healthy financial reserve, and “in response to your feedbacks”, he has asked successor directors to giving them a representative seat on the board.