Nik Nazmi: Don't you like me, RTM?

“What exactly is so objectionable about my character or profession that (someone saw) fit to prohibit my appearance on televison?”

It’s a burning question for Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the Seri Setia assemblyperson, who was dropped “at the last minute” from a ‘live’ talk-show on Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) last night.

Nik Nazmi, who is also political secretary to the Selangor menteri besar, told a press conference today that the invitation was withdrawn in a text-message and a telephone call from a RTM insider, rather than through an official letter.

The invitation had arrived on July 9 for him to appear on the ‘live’ talk show ' Di Luar Lingkungan bersama Sayed Munawar' , which was slated for broadcast at 9pm yesterday.

Nik Nazmi claimed that that a “cabinet minister” had directed RTM to withdraw the invitation, but would not reveal the identity.

“This, of course, is most disappointing and yet another example of the Umno/BN government’s lack of respect for the freedom of speech,” he said.

He said he will raise his questions with Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim (right) .

“What part of my views constitutes a threat to national security or morals? Or is this simply a case of the government being afraid to give Pakatan Rakyat a chance to make its views known to the people?” he asked.

Nik Nazmi, 27, expressed further disappointment that he has not been allowed to give his views from the perspective of Malaysian youth.

“They do not have much of a voice or an outlet to air their views in the talk-show. Ironically, what happened (to me) seems to justify this view,” he said.

This is the second time he has had an invitation withdrawn. Last March, he was “physically stopped” from officiating a student event at Universiti Malaya.

“This is an unhealthy trend and it does not fit in with the prime minister’s 1Malaysia concept,” he added.

Forms stolen

In a separate development, Teratai assemblyperson Jenice Lee claimed that a middle-aged man had gone into her office in Taman Muda between 2pm and 2.15pm today.

She said he seized 200 application forms meant for senior citizens to fill, to be eligible for aid from the Selangor government.

Lee said three officers, including a councillor’s assistant, were in the office at the time.

“The councillor’s assistant tried to get the forms back but was hit by the man until he bled,” Lee told reporters.

“The man then said, ‘I am not scared, if you have any problem, we can meet at the police station. I have people’.

“We don’t know why he took the forms. We have to investigate this. I will inform the state government. It could be that someone is not happy with us.”

The three officers have lodged a police report on the incident.