Cabinet Wants Live Telecast On Parliament Sitting To Go On - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 (Bernama) -- The Cabinet decided today that Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) continues the trial run on the 30-minute live telecast of the question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat sitting, said Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

The direct telecast on RTM1 which begins at 10am on Parliament sitting days, however, was still subject to review by the Information Ministry, he said.

He said the review, including the cancellation of the live telecast if the commotion that occurred during the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Wednesday was repeated, was to ensure that there was no erosion of public confidence in the august House and that the image of the country was not tarnished.

"The Cabinet is of the opinion that it is too early to come to a conclusion on the cancellation of the live telecast merely based on the incident," he told reporters after the Information Ministry's post-cabinet meeting at Angkasapuri, here Friday.

Ahmad Shabery said the decision on the live telecast was made at the cabinet meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today.

"However, the Cabinet deeply regrets the commotion that occurred on Wednesday, where the image of the Parliament and country was greatly tarnished due to the misdemeanour of the Members of Parliament, especially from the opposition who raised petty issues to the extent that during the 30-minute live telecast only one question could be raised and answered.

"Meanwhile, the whole 90-minute question and answer session, which usually has time for between 10 and 15 questions, could only answer three questions," he said.

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