RADIO Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) and the Communications and Multimedia Ministry were severely criticised again in the Sarawak legislative assembly today, with two ministers saying the national broadcaster has been turned into a tool to divide the nation.

Sarawak Tourism, Art, Culture, Youth and Sports Abdul Karim Hamzah accused Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo of playing politics in adopting the policy of the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government in the blanket ban on the coverage of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) functions and programmes.

Gobind earlier in the year had denied issuing any directive or guideline to RTM on providing coverage in opposition-held states while the ministry’s deputy secretary-general (policy), Shakib Ahmad Shakir, in March said he is seeking an explanation from RTM Sarawak over allegations that it was prohibited from covering GPS events.

Karim accused Gobind of saying one thing in public and doing another away from prying eyes.

“Gobind doesn’t walk the talk. He is just playing politics. Where’s the promised change?” he asked.

When Bukit Assek assemblyman Irene Chang interjected and said the policy was not new and was practiced under the BN regime, Karim said that was exactly one of the reasons why people voted out the coalition in last year’s general election.

“Don’t bring back what was happening in those days. That is the reason why the people voted you in,” he told Chang and other PH lawmakers.

“The role of RTM is to unite the people. If the GPS programmes are on politics, we can understand why they are not being covered.

“But if the programmes are on sports or culture which could unite the people, then RTM should be able to differentiate them.”

Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department on integrity and ombudsman Talib Zulpilip said the policy was insensitive to Sarawakians working in the broadcaster.

“The feelings of Sarawakians serving in RTM are being trampled on. It’s disrespectful and dividing Sarawak.”

Talib also said the policy is driving a wedge between state and federal departments.

Karim said the RTM policy was just another one of the U-turns the PH is now famous for.

“There are too many U-turns. Just ask the people on the street and their feeling of uncertainty.” – May 7, 2019.