SPECIAL PANEL TO IMPROVE RADIO, TV PROGRAMMES IN LINE WITH 1M'SIA CONCEPT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 (Bernama) -- The Information, Communications and Culture Ministry will be setting up a special panel which will also have non-governmental organisations representatives to improve radio and television progammes to ensure the success of the 1Malaysia concept.

Its minister Dr Rais Yatim said the contents industry now received mostly
material and programmes that were imported without any consideration whether
they were suitable towards strengthening nationbuilding.

"This trend (importation) will continue. Nevertheless, we must create
content that promotes harmony among the people," he told reporters after
launching MIC's Internet portal at a hotel here Thursday.

He said the panel would also be responsible for improving Chinese and Tamil
programme slots on the airwaves.

Rais said the ministry would consult various quarters like the MIC and
representatives of the Indian community who had expert knowledge on Indian
culture and music to evaluate the aspirations of the community in regard to
programmes by the national broadcasting station, Radio Television Malaysia
(RTM).

He said the government would also provide more opportunities to the various
communities to showcase their cultures and lifestyles through television, either
on the government or private networks.

According to him, he had met the owners of all television and radio stations
and had asked them to play their part in promoting the 1Malaysia concept
espoused by Prime Minister Najib Razak.

On the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) portal, Rais it was a good channel
for the younger generation to forward their views and aspirations as they were
more attuned to the new media. MIC is a component party of the federal ruling
Barisan Nasional (BN) or National Front.
-- BERNAMA