I very much agree with Michael Ng's stand in support of live parliamentary broadcasts. Let the truth speak for itself, cutting across the mainstream media's distortions.

I'm afraid that perhaps the unmediated, undiluted truth is precisely what the information minister wants to deny us.

Expenses are alleged to be the reason for not going ahead with the live broadcasts. Therefore, I suggest that the information minister simply offer a radio or TV licence to the public for the purpose of financing broadcasts from parliament.

These licences could perhaps also include some state assembly sittings, parliamentary select committee meetings and public hearings.

There won't be a problem of taking too much air time - another excuse from the minister. I'm sure interested citizens won't complain of too much air time being utilised for parliamentary live telecasts.

Other excuses offered against the live broadcasts are equally laughable. A minister in the prime minister's department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz reportedly said that the opposition would purposely pick a fight to get into the limelight.

What a shame that he refuses to acknowledge that sheer intellectual power is enough for many opposition members to shine through the BN's 90 percent majority in parliament.

The live broadcasts will also solve the problem of sleeping MPs and absent MPs and unparliamentary behaviour.

This is my challenge to the information minister: give a radio/TV licence for live parliamentary broadcasts. I'm sure there are enough sponsors for this radio/TV station should a licence be granted.

The government has no other excuse to put off this great step forward towards making transparent our country's highest democratic forum.