THE Communications and Multimedia Ministry is looking to set up new channels through national broadcasting station Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).

Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the programmes on these channels will include documentaries providing information to the public.

“I guarantee that beginning next year, we will announce new channels on RTM.

“We are now looking at how documentary programmes can have their own themes that are informative to the public.

“They are important and suitable to improve general knowledge on issues,” he said during the question-and-answer session in Parliament today.

Gobind was replying to a supplementary question from Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus (PH-Hulu Langat) who asked if the ministry had studied and provided special incentives to encourage local producers come up with knowledge programmes, instead of just entertainment programmes that are either horror or love stories.

Gobind said the ministry had drawn up an agenda for documentary programmes, especially on technology-related topics.

“We want to see how the public can benefit from technology. Then, we also want to promote local works,” he said.

In response to the original question from Hasanuddin, who asked if the KKMM was reviewing payment rates to drama, short story and documentary producers, Gobind said the ministry – through RTM – had urged a study of the rates and the Finance Ministry was currently looking at it.

“The proposed rate is an increase of between 20% and 50%, depending on the categories: telefilm, drama series, documentary/magazine, animation series, variety show and capsule/trailers/promos.

“The proposal is subject to the approval of the Finance Ministry,” Gobind said.

On the steps taken by the ministry to help veteran artists make a comeback – a question from Dr Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulung) – Gobind said their association had brought the matter to him for further action.

“The ministry takes this matter seriously and wants to ensure that they are given the chance to participate in the production of new works. We call this ‘reform’,” he said. – Bernama, November 26, 2019.