INFORMATION MINISTRY KEEN TO COOPERATE WITH BBC

From Muin Abdul Majid
LONDON, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Information Ministry is looking at
the possibility of forging cooperation with the British Broadcasting Corporation
(BBC) and relevant agencies in Britain to train national Radio Television
Malaysia (RTM) personnel.

Malaysian Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the matter was
discussed during his meeting with BBC officials on Friday in conjunction with
his working visit to this country beginning Thursday.

"We told them that we are trying to set several benchmarks and the BBC
represents a major station with vast experience and it has achieved certain
standards," he said.

"Although we don't have to follow the BBC totally, they have certain
traditions which I feel we could learn from," Ahmad Shabery told reporters at a
Chinese New Year gathering at Malaysia Hall, here on Sunday.

He said the BBC College of Journalism had indicated its willingness to train
RTM staff.

He said cooperation in the field of training with the BBC was necessary in
line with the move by RTM to create a designated channel for news and
information early this year which required efficient and highly skilled
personnel.

The minister described his visit to Britain as fruitful because besides
forging cooperation with the BBC, he had also met Malaysian students in London,
Leeds and Birmingham which enabled him to explain on current developments in
Malaysia.

Ahmad Shabery said his ministry would adopt a new approach and more
proactive measures to discharge its responsibility by focusing not only on the
people in Malaysia but also Malaysian nationals abroad.

On the misconception among Malaysian nationals abroad on developments within
ruling component party United Malays National Organisation (Umno), he said such
misconception also occurred in Malaysia itself and as such, explanation on the
current political situation must be made continuously.

"Clear explanation by the Information Ministry and other parties must be
given in a more orderly manner from now onwards. We must look into the matter
thoroughly and with great concern," he said.

In addition, Ahmad Shabery said that during his meetings with the students,
he had assured them that the government would not withdraw the scholarship or
other aid given to them although the country was now facing the impact of the
global financial and economic crisis.

"Those who are studying must do so without thinking about their fate, the
possibility of the government withdrawing their scholarship or whatever aid they
were receiving. So, that is the assurance (that it will not happen) that I can
give them," he said.

The minister reminded the Malaysian students that pursuing further education
in Britain or any other country did not give them an edge when applying for jobs
upon completing their studies.
-- BERNAMA