Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) allocates 30 percent airtime for broadcasting information on the government's policies and aspirations and 70 percent for informative entertainment and programmes which propagate nation building, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim said it was in line with the objective of setting up RTM as the official media of the government to function as both a broadcaster of informative news and also help in nation building.

"In programming and broadcast, RTM allocates 30 percent airtime to channel the government's policies and aspirations and 70 percent for informative entertainment.

"The main objective is to help the people understand the 1Malaysia concept introduced by Prime Minister Najib Razak. This include news capsules, songs, news and documentary," said Rais when answering a question by Ab Aziz Ab Kadir (PKR-Ketereh) at the Dewan Rakyat here today.

Commenting on another question by Ab Aziz who wanted to know if there were any initiatives to provide balanced reporting so that the people can make their own judgment, Rais said contents for news, information or documentary are sourced depending on its importance and values to the people.

"We will not air entertainment programmes from overseas without vetting it, so that it can be acceptable to our culture," he said.

Concern over husband-wife dance programme

To concerns raised by Mojilip Bumburing's (BN-Tuaran) that Astro Ria's "sehati berdansa" a dance programme that features a husband and wife combination, may have a negative impact, Rais said the programme was accepted by the people.

"I myself have not seen the programme, but based on the family context, if a couple are involved in a dance routine, it is okay and people can accept it compared with programmes that have kissing scenes in public.

"So, during the vetting process of broadcast programmes carried out by the censor board, a number of ethics are followed, like the use of foul language or words that cannot be accepted in our culture.

“But for a husband and wife to be in close proximity and have some fun in front of audience through a dance programme which is actually a manifestation of their harmony, people can

accept," he said.

- Bernama