THE government will allow Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) to air posters and biodata of all candidates contesting in the Malacca state elections from tomorrow.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa said the airing of such posters and biodata will be done as often as possible and fairly.

“Taking into account the difficulties faced in campaigning and the fact that voters have very little knowledge of the candidates contesting in their constituencies, we (the government) have agreed for RTM to increase the frequency of airing the candidates’ portraits and biodata from tomorrow,” he told a press conference in Alor Gajah today.

Annuar said the government also asked RTM to draw up the appropriate time slots for airing the campaign material without disrupting its normal programmes.

He said RTM has been directed to contact all candidates for their campaign material, on condition they do not cause any polemics or controversies.

“So, RTM is making preparations, including (airing) during prime time so that efforts to introduce the candidates in a fair manner can be carried out from tomorrow until Friday, which is a day before polling,” he said. 

“I hope there is sufficient space to carry out this initiative.”

On Wednesday, Annuar said the government was considering giving slots to Malacca election candidates, including the opposition, to campaign via government official television and radio channels following the difficulties faced by all political parties, especially new candidates, to campaign in the new normal.

He said candidates, especially in rural areas, facing broadband coverage problems while campaigning on social media could bring the matter up with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

“If there is any location experiencing such a problem, we have a team that can boost coverage in a particular area. We have conducted a review and the network is okay,” he said.

“But when too many people are using it, there is a possibility that we may experience poor coverage. But if there are areas experiencing extremely poor coverage, they can inform us.

“The MCMC will be on standby and telecommunication companies have been asked to give their cooperation by fixing boosters to increase the internet speed.” – Bernama, November 13, 2021.