Zainuddin Protests To BBC Over Air Time For Rejected Leaders

KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin has lodged a protest with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for giving air time on television for leaders of opposition political parties rejected by the Malaysian people to express their views on the country's political and current affairs.
He said the BBC move did not help to enhance relations between Britain and Malaysia and did not accord respect to the democratic decision of the Malaysian people in their rejection of the opposition political parties.
"It would be appropriate if the air time was given to the opposition political parties that had a place in politics in Malaysia but why focus on people who have been rejected?
"What is the objective of the BBC in doing so?" he told reporters when asked about his recent four-day working visit to London and Paris.
Zainuddin had personally conveyed his protest on the matter to BBC World Asia Section Chief Editor Rita Hyne during a visit to the corporation while on the working visit to London.
Besides Hyne, Zainuddin also met with the Director of the BBC World Service, Nigel Chapman, and BBC World Service Regional Development Manager Neil Curry.
Zainuddin also said that Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) would purchase special BBC children's programmes to step up education in the English language for school children in the country.
"We need more programmes in English to enhance the standard of fluency in the language in Malaysia," he said.
Besides these educational programmes of an entertainment nature, RTM would also buy films produced in Britain to meet current requirements, he added.
"We hope to promote more films from Britain to nurture a culture of courteousness and ethics. Films from the United States are not good for us. Their portrayal is more of a culture of violence," he said.
Zainuddin said a committee had been set up to conduct negotiations with the BBC on the matter.
"RTM is also prepared to provide attachment for BBC officers, and we have also stationed two of our officers on attachment at the BBC," he said.
He said RTM utilised the annual allocation to purchase films direct from Britain and no longer through agents.
"It is cheaper to buy direct than through agents," he added.

tunku : although i am against the opposition but i do not agree with zam on this issue.Zam mentioned that we are a democratic country but denied freedom of speech.Let them talk what ever they want to say, if you are right,why worry? People are smart these days, if the opposition talk sense the have defeated BN,but the public is smart enough to assess their capabilities.