IT would be a waste of public funds to screen live streaming English Premier and Spanish League football games on national television, said the Communications and Multimedia Ministry today.

Minister Salleh Said Keruak said it would require a large sum of money to realise Pakatan Harapan Youth’s suggestion for national broadcaster Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) to screen live football matches, which entailed buying the broadcasting rights. 

“The cost is not cheap, it takes millions, maybe even billions of ringgit. That money can be used for other purposes.

“The government station is owned by the people. We need to manage our funds accordingly but we are not stopping other stations such as Astro from airing EPL games,” he said after launching the Malaysian Cyber Games in Putrajaya today. 

Salleh advised PH Youth to focus on more pertinent issues, such as the economy and future of the country, instead of zeroing in on petty ones like this. 

“It is not practical at all. PH Youth should be looking at the bigger issues, not issues like this. 

“Mature young adults do not focus on a single issue to decide their future. They want stability, job opportunities, a healthy economy and a good future for themselves.”

PH Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said last weekend at the coalition’s convention that EPL matches, which were popular in Malaysia, would be aired for free on national TV if PH were voted into power.

Many, including Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, have called the promise impractical and a waste of public money. 

Khairy had said the money could be put to better use, such as to build more sports complexes. 

Broadcasting rights for one season of football games are sold via a bidding process and are usually monopolised by network giants. – January 8, 2018.