Chow Kon Yeow: 曹观友

Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin has been very vocal on the issue of media freedom both locally and on the international scene. He created a stir when he asked BBC recently to stop reporting about the views of the opposition in Malaysia.

It can be seen that Zam is not only trying to restrict the freedom of local media but is trying to influence a foreign media agency (condition for the purchase of BBC-produced programme).

It is a shame to have Zam as the Information Minister. Foreign investors would shy away from a country which does not respect press freedom. This is because they would not be able to obtain accurate information for them to make an informed decision on their investment plans.

An enemy of press freedom can never be a suitable candidate for Information Minister for a country embracing the new millennium.

Zam is taking such a stand because by and large our media especially the electronics media believe in press freedom. They would not bow to the wishes of the government blindly nor will they be seen as leaning towards the opposition.

For Zam, the media is supposed to be an apparatus for the ruling party. They are expected to report the good things and bury the bad news. They are also expected to cover up the wrongs of the government and its leaders.

He wanted Malaysian media to be a meek follower of the ruling party. You can only sing praises but no criticize too much.

Zam’s media policy is still stuck in the 1950s mentality. He wanted the media to be a tool of the ruling elite not the mouthpiece of the ordinary rakyat.

What he is doing is very much against what is envisioned in Vision 2020: an advanced country with an environment for press freedom.

It is urgent for Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to get a new Information Minister who is in tune with the challenges of the New Age.

Yesterday, I asked why DJs at the AiFM are resigning.
Tuan Pengerusi: Yang Berhormat bagi Tanjong.
5.00 ptg.
Tuan Chow Kon Yeow [Tanjong]: Terima kasih Tuan Pengerusi. Butiran 020000 -
Perkhidmatan Penyiaran iaitu matlamatnya untuk menyebarkan maklumat melalui radio dan TV
untuk membina sikap peribadi, pemikiran dan nilai-nilai yang sesuai untuk memajukan dan
menjayakan pembangunan sosial ekonomi dan masyarakat selaras dengan cita-cita negara.
Saya amat mengalu-alukan janji yang dibuat oleh Perdana Menteri bahawa kerajaan amat
membenarkan kebebasan untuk menyuarakan dan akan sudi mendengar aduan-aduan ataupun
kebenaran-kebenaran dari rakyat jelata supaya dapat memperbaiki urus tadbir dan masalahmasalah
berhubung dengan kerenah birokrasi dan sebagainya dalam kerajaan.
Jadi saya ingin menimbulkan perkara yang membabitkan ALfm di Angkasapuri iaitu
saluran bahasa Mandarin yang nampaknya salah satu program mengenai hal ehwal semasa
yang amat popular iaitu morning talk show ataupun dalam bahasa Mandarinnya [Bercakap dalam
bahasa Mandarin] iaitu membenarkan para pendengar untuk segmen-segmen yang tertentu
membuat panggilan ataupun menghantar SMS untuk menyuarakan pandangan terhadap satu isu
yang dibincangkan pada masa penyiaran itu. (more…)

The Chinese newspapers and online media broke the news. The authority has ordered the popular Chinese affairs “Ai, Start Speaking without hindrances” to be taken off the air from the government-owned radio station, AiFM.

I am a regular listener as the programme is on current soc-culture and even political issues and allows listeners to call in to voice their opinions on a selected hot topic.

Last month, I blogged that 100 percent of the listeners called in to object the government’s decision to allow Tenaga Nasional to raise the electricity tariff.

Among topics discussed over the air included the Mahathir’s criticism against the Prime Minister, the scenic bridge, Chinese education and issues closed to the hearts of the Chinese community.

I found the interactive session very helpful as it gives me an insight to the views of the Chinese community on current affairs. The air is usually opened for 30 minutes to allow listeners to call in or SMS their comments. Although only about 10 listeners could air their views each session, it nevertheless represents grassroots’ feelings.

I found very bold remarks uttered in the programme and some took the government or certain politicians to task for their failure in addressing certain problems faced by the community.

Last Friday’s session on the reduction in the size of classes in Chinese primary schools was emotional with one lady caller closed to tear when talking about problems in Chinese primary schools.

I was taken aback when the host also echoed similar sentiment and even made a remark that would land him into trouble.

I am not surprised that the higher up finally decided that they have had enough of these “nonsense” over a government radio station.

So much about new liberalism and freedom in the Abdullah Administration. When it matters most, the government will never failed to act. The higher up are watching, be aware.

MP for Kota Baharu Datuk Mohd. Zaid Ibrahim has submitted a motion to the Clerk of the House to allow the former to introduce a Private Member’s Bill, namely the Malaysia Press Council Bill.

Zaid’s motion has been listed in the Order paper received yesterday. Dewan Rakyat will sit for 14 days beginning 26 June.

According to Press report dated 9 February, Zaid wanted to expedite the setting up of the much talked-about Press Council.

Attempts to establish the press self-regulatory body began almost three decades ago with the last real attempt made in 2000 when a draft proposal was submitted by the Malaysia Press Institute, a body representing publishers and editors, to the government. The draft was returned with a request for some changes but that was the last that was heard of it.

However, as acknowledged by Zaid, the hardest part will be getting the House’s approval for him to table the Bill.

Past records showed that almost none of the Private Member’s Bill has been allowed by the Parliament with Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang trying several times without success.

Article 67 of the Federal Constitution restricts the introduction of Bills involving taxation, expenditure, etc.

Under 49(1) of the Standing Orders, any private member desiring to introduce a Bill may apply to the House for leave to do so and submit a copy of the Bill with an explanatory statement of the objects and reasons.

Leave being granted on a question put and carried, the Bill shall be deemed to have been read the first time.

The Bill shall be printed and circulated to members, and shall stand referred without discussion to the Minister concerned. No further proceedings shall be taken upon such Bill until the Minister has reported to the House.

After the report has been made, the Bill shall be set down for second reading upon such day as the Minister in charge of the Bill shall desire.

Zaid had previously commented that the press and other media apparatuses in Malaysia now enjoying much more freedom and laxity than before due to the more open and tolerant policies of PM Abdullah. But will he get the leave to table the bill on Malaysia Press Council?