KUALA LUMPUR, 22 Oct 2008: Deputy Information Minister Datuk Tan Lian Hoe was today asked to explain in Parliament her statement on the origins of the races in the country, deemed to smack of racism.
The matter came up when she rose to refute the allegation by Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) that Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) carried news which raised racial issues and origins.
The Gerakan Wanita head was then asked by government backbenchers on the statement which she made in her speech at the party’s Youth and Wanita delegates’ conference on 10 Oct.
Datuk Mohamed Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) voiced his disappointment with Tan over her statement, to which she replied that the issue was settled.
Earlier, when answering a question from Datuk Ismail Abd Muttalib (BN-Maran), Tan said the ministry was currently discussing with Brunei Darussalam on news gathering and exchange.
“The ministry, through the Broadcasting Department, has built relations with Asia-Pacific countries to forge cooperation in this area.
“To date, there is the Warta Serumpun between Malaysia and Indonesia,” she said. — Bernama
