PAS Youth chided for wanting more drama programmes on RTM

Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek chided PAS Youth for wanting to have more programmes in the form of drama compared to reports on tragedy over Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).

He said it differed from the mentality of the people, who wanted RTM to provide the latest reports on disasters or important events that concerns the country.

"Whenever disasters such as MH370 and MH17 occur, the people want RTM to provide the latest reports, real-time all the time.

"When it is the World Cup football season and (badminton player Datuk Lee) Chong enters the final, the people who do not owe Astro want RTM to broadcast the events," he said in his Facebook entry.

The entry obtained 1,430 likes and shared by 42 social web owners.

Ahmad Shabery said the people also requested to follow the live broadcast of the Parliamentary proceedings and RTM fulfilled it by broadcasting the question-and-answer session everyday, starting from 10am until 11.30am.

"When Parliament convenes, the people wish to view the live broadcast in Parliament, at least during the question-and-answer time every morning. Some do not like it because the time for their drama broadcasts is less.

"And interestingly, PAS Youth also wants more drama from all that," he said.

Ahmad Shabery however, added that he was prepared to study the PAS Youth's request.

Yesterday, Broadcasting director-general Datuk Abu Bakar Ab Rahim said apart from the MH17 and MH370 incidents, RTM also aired the FIFA World Cup 2014, which resulted in a reduction of airtime for drama and local programmes.

RTM also has programmes that were bought from year-to-year previously that had yet to be aired, said Abu Bakar when commenting on the reasons for the reduced airtime for drama and local programme broadcasts this year.