KUALA LUMPUR, 16 Dec 2008: The decision to move Mandarin news from RTM2 to RTM1 is part of the broadcasting station’s programme restructuring exercise and should not be politicised, said Information Minster Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
He said the exercise involved not only the Mandarin news bulletin but also other programmes.
“Do not look at it from racial perspective. Do not politicise it. It is merely a restructuring exercise, we are not cutting anything. Wait for our official announcement,” he told reporters after presenting the Angkasapuri 2007 Awards at Auditorium Perdana, Angkasapuri, here today.
Commenting on criticisms against the Bukit Antarabangsa Disaster Fund set up by RTM and Ampang Umno division, he said it was an act out of concern on the plight of the victims.
He said although some people were against the idea as it involved rich families, all quarters should be sympathetic towards any disaster victims.
“When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans (in 2005), Malaysia had sent aid to the victims although United States is a rich country.
“It is like visiting sick patients. It does not matter whether the patients are rich or poor. What is important is the friendship and concern for the sick,” he said, adding that not all Bukit Antarabangsa victims were rich.
Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the fund would be audited in one week time and how the aid would be given out would be decided later.
On the proposed public debate between the candidates of the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election, he said RTM would not organise it to prevent slander and allegations against it.
Meanwhile, Malacca State Legislative Assembly speaker Datuk Othman Mohd, who was former Melaka Special Function Department director, was awarded the Information Minister Special Award.
The Angkasapuri Award went to RTM TV Programme director Datuk Nor Hyati Ismail. — Bernama
