Abdullah For Dewan Rakyat Live Telecasts To Be Stopped - Bernama

From Abdul Muin Abdul Majid

KUWAIT CITY, May 1 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi described the chaos that happened on the Dewan Rakyat's first day of sitting yesterday as "too much" and prefers that the 30-minute daily live telecasts of its proceedings by the RTM1 television channel be stopped.

The Prime Minister who was in Parliament when it descended into chaos yesterday, said he was ashamed by what happened and more so it was seen by all and sundry.

"I think it was because of the live telecast, everyone wanted to be seen to be in action when the broadcast was done," he told Malaysian reporters shortly before leaving for Saudi Arabia to perform the umrah after attending the closing-session of the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) here Thursday.

Following what happened, Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the broadcasts might be reviewed and that it would brought before the Cabinet at its meeting tommorow for a decision.

Asked if a reversal could lead to people questioning the government's transparency, said it was not the case as journalists were free to report the proceeding and besides the public could also go to witness the debates for themselves.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=330247]