Opposition parties will not be allowed to air their views on the state owned RTM television and radio stations because the country is not developed yet, said Information Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Zainuddin Maidin today.

He explained that issues related to race and religion are not raised during elections in developed countries

"Developed countries do not have the racial and religious composition that we have in Malaysia," he said in parliament during the question-and-answer session.

The senator was replying to a question from Mohd Nasir Che Daud (PAS-Kuala Krai) who asked whether the ministry intends to allow parties other than those from Barisan Nasional to air their messages on state-owned television and radio stations as practised in developed countries.