Information, Communications and Culture deputy minister Heng Seai Kie has denied a claim  that political considerations had prompted the axing of a RTM2 documentary.

She brushed off th NONE e decision as an “operational and management matter” within the state-owned television network, saying the contents of the documentary were one-sided.

The nine-part documentary was taken off the after two segments were aired. The series highlight the problems of Sarawak indigenous people who have been relocated because of the Bakun Dam project.

Last Wednesday, producer Chou Z Lam had claimed in a blog post that the decision was due to political interference because Barisan Nasional’s chances could be affected in the upcoming Sibu by-election.

Two days later, Heng responded and vowed to investigate the matter.

NONE Yesterday, Chou ( right ) posted a stinging entry in his Mandarin-language blog, drawing attention to Heng’s inaction to date.

"As the deputy minister..., if Heng cannot give an explanation to the native people, television audience and voters after spending four days or 96 hours on the investigation, we can perhaps say that her investigative skills are poorer than those of a rookie reporter.

"As a media practitioner or TV programme producer, if my work efficiency was the same as Heng’s, I would resign even if my supervisor does not sack me."

‘Refusal to re-edit’

Contacted today, Heng said she had spoken to RTM's chief broadcast executive Ibrahim Yahya and other decision makers involved in the programme.

“Ibrahim said he had requested Chou to re-edit the documentary for a more comprehensive and balanced report, but that Chou had refused to do so. As a result, there was a confrontation between them,” said Heng.

sarawak energy board slide show hydropower project in sarawak 180608 bakun dam While saying she does not know the details of the re-editing request, Heng said she had viewed parts of the documentary and found that the presentation falls short of giving the audience a holistic and balanced perspective of the issues.

Chou, she said, has only focused on the relocation problems of the native community, but failed to present the views of the state government and dam builder.

"For example, an interviewee alleged in the documentary that the Sarawak government had promised those relocated 10 acres of land, but that they received only three acres. The allegation was not referred to the state government for verification and response,” said Heng.

"Interviewing the natives to understand their problems is the correct thing to do. However, as a professional media practitioner, there is a need (for Chou) to verify their allegations with other parties.”

She added that she would continue with her efforts to seek a solution.